DALLAS — A severe winter storm that unleashed significant snowfall and icy conditions across Texas and Oklahoma began its eastward movement into southern states on Friday. This inclement weather prompted governors to declare emergencies and led to the closure of schools throughout the region.
In Arkansas, Governor Sarah Sanders took action by mobilizing the National Guard to assist motorists stranded on the roads. School closures affected millions of students across a vast area stretching from Texas to Georgia, and all the way to South Carolina.
Forecasts indicated that the northern portions of Arkansas and much of Tennessee would experience some of the storm’s most intense snowfalls, with accumulations reaching between 6 to 9 inches (approximately 15 to 22 centimeters) in various locations, according to reports from the National Weather Service.
Further south, in states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, a mix of sleet and freezing rain complicated travel conditions, making roads hazardous. Central Oklahoma and northern Texas received up to 7 inches (around 18 centimeters) of snow before the storm moved into Arkansas.
Truck driver Charles Daniel noted the difficult road conditions on Thursday, mentioning that while he hadn’t witnessed any accidents, he observed several vehicles struggling to navigate the slick roads. “People do not need to be driving,” he added.
The adverse weather impacted air travel significantly, resulting in over 4,500 flight delays and an additional 2,000 cancellations on Thursday, with Friday expecting to see more disruptions. The snow that began falling in the Atlanta metropolitan area early Friday morning led to a significant number of flight cancellations and delays at the city’s airport, which is a major hub for Delta Air Lines. A ground stop was declared at the airport before 8 a.m., halting all flights as radar indicated heavy precipitation in the area.
Other affected airports included those in Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas-Fort Worth; and Nashville, experiencing notable delays and cancellations.
Weather experts noted that polar vortex events, which usually circulate around the North Pole, are occurring more frequently, potentially linked to global warming. Interestingly, this cold snap coincided with unusual January wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
The winter storm forecasted to sweep through the Dallas area is anticipated to create a substantial impact across parts of Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Texas Governor Greg Abbott urged citizens to avoid driving whenever possible, emphasizing safety as around 75,000 fans were expected to attend a college football championship semifinal in Arlington.
By Friday, weather predictions indicated that the storm would shift northeast, affecting areas all the way to the Virginia and North Carolina coasts with heavy snowfall and freezing rain. Forecasts projected snow accumulations of up to 8 inches (about 20 centimeters) in regions of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia by Saturday.
Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp declared an emergency on Thursday as the northern region braced for snow and ice on Friday morning. Weather forecasts warned that this accumulation would make road travel treacherous, with potential for power outages in metro Atlanta and surrounding areas.
Public schools across metro Atlanta and northern Georgia canceled in-person classes for Friday, affecting over 1 million students either with snow days or remote learning instructions. Officials acted quickly after a disastrous snowstorm in 2014 left many children and workers stranded overnight.
In Tennessee, the Memphis-Shelby County Schools, which serves over 100,000 students, also closed all schools for Friday. With forecasts predicting up to 8 inches (20.3 centimeters) of snow for Memphis, officials opened warming centers to provide shelter for those needing refuge from the cold.
South Carolina prepared to experience its first wintry weather in three years, with the state’s Department of Transportation treating highways from Columbia northward. Several school systems decided on early closures or transitioned to online learning for Friday amid expectations of bad weather.
In North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency, anticipating snowfall of up to 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in various parts of the state, especially in mountainous regions, along with sleet and freezing rain.
Additionally, Richmond, Virginia faced a boil-water advisory as officials worked to restore the city’s water reservoir system, affected by a storm-related power outage. The city, with a population exceeding 200,000, was distributing bottled water at several sites while also delivering it to elderly residents and others unable to reach those locations.
