A winter storm is developing, threatening to bring snow, sleet, and freezing rain to parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Cold Arctic air is moving south, causing temperatures to plummet below freezing in some southern regions of the United States.
Meteorologists from the National Weather Service are predicting winter precipitation in the Southern Plains starting Wednesday night. In areas like Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, snowfall is expected, but further south, it may turn into sleet and freezing rain, creating hazardous travel conditions.
An Arctic front swept over much of the eastern United States over the weekend, resulting in numerous traffic accidents and thousands of flight cancellations and delays. Communities in several states set up warming shelters, with some operating in local venues like skating rinks.
As the cold front advances, a freeze warning was issued for the Gulf Coast, with temperatures in El Paso, Texas, dropping to around 31°F. The National Weather Service warned that wind chills could make it feel even colder, ranging from 0°F to 15°F on Wednesday morning.
The polar vortex, a mass of extremely cold air that usually stays around the North Pole, has been moving southward into the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Some experts claim these cold snaps are becoming more frequent, which, oddly enough, may be a result of global warming.
While places in the northern and eastern U.S. dealt with snow and ice on Tuesday, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas were bracing for their turn. In Texas, road crews are treating highways in the Dallas area in anticipation of 1 to 3 inches of snowfall on Thursday, with predictions of up to 5 inches near the Oklahoma border.
Parts of southeastern Georgia and northern Florida are also experiencing unusually cold temperatures, with freeze warnings in effect. Florida farmers are particularly concerned about their fern crops used for floral arrangements. Luckily, citrus trees are less likely to suffer significant damage, as they can withstand brief cold snaps better.
The central plains through the Ohio Valley and into the Mid-Atlantic are expected to receive additional snow and ice over the coming days. This could lead to melting and refreezing, creating dangerous black ice on roadways.
Earlier in the week, there were reports of hundreds of traffic accidents across states like Virginia, Indiana, and Kentucky. Sadly, three fatalities occurred in Virginia due to weather-related accidents. With snowfall exceeding a foot in some regions of Kansas, there were also reports of deadly incidents there.
By Tuesday night, nearly 100,000 people were without electricity in states including Missouri and Indiana, a significant drop from over 200,000 earlier in the day. Additionally, the travel chaos continued with over 5,000 flight delays reported.
As winter weather continues to impact various regions, local communities and authorities are taking necessary precautions to keep residents safe and informed.
