A massive winter storm is set to impact nearly two-thirds of the US, with a significant portion of the country bracing for heavy snow, ice, and brutal cold. The system will begin in the southern Plains on Friday and move eastward, bringing hazardous conditions to a 2,000-mile stretch of the country.
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather or extreme cold alerts for over 175 million people, while another 132 million are under alerts for snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The storm is expected to bring record-breaking temperatures to some locations, with frostbite possible in as little as 5-10 minutes.
Heavy snowfall totals of up to 2 feet are forecast for the central Appalachians and Northeast, while parts of northeastern Texas, northern Mississippi, and southwestern Tennessee can expect significant ice accumulation. The southern side of the storm's track is expected to see ice accumulation, but it's unlikely to be severe enough to cause widespread disruptions.
Travel plans may be severely disrupted due to weather conditions on roadways and at airports. Some airports do not have deicing equipment for aircraft to take off safely, which could lead to cancellations and delays over the weekend. Traveling is highly discouraged through the weekend, but if necessary, drivers are advised to exercise caution on the roads.
The forecast uncertainty is decreasing as the storm's arrival nears, with significant variations seen in weather prediction models earlier in the week. Winter storms can be unpredictable due to the complexity of freezing temperatures, which add an extra layer of uncertainty to forecasts.
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather or extreme cold alerts for over 175 million people, while another 132 million are under alerts for snow, sleet, and freezing rain. The storm is expected to bring record-breaking temperatures to some locations, with frostbite possible in as little as 5-10 minutes.
Heavy snowfall totals of up to 2 feet are forecast for the central Appalachians and Northeast, while parts of northeastern Texas, northern Mississippi, and southwestern Tennessee can expect significant ice accumulation. The southern side of the storm's track is expected to see ice accumulation, but it's unlikely to be severe enough to cause widespread disruptions.
Travel plans may be severely disrupted due to weather conditions on roadways and at airports. Some airports do not have deicing equipment for aircraft to take off safely, which could lead to cancellations and delays over the weekend. Traveling is highly discouraged through the weekend, but if necessary, drivers are advised to exercise caution on the roads.
The forecast uncertainty is decreasing as the storm's arrival nears, with significant variations seen in weather prediction models earlier in the week. Winter storms can be unpredictable due to the complexity of freezing temperatures, which add an extra layer of uncertainty to forecasts.
but i'm not buying into the hype just yet... 175 million people under alerts is a lot, but are we really seeing record-breaking temps or is that just something they do now? and what's with all these travel cancellations? it's been like this for years, and still we're always so caught up in the drama 
airports not having deicing equipment is just a money grab if you ask me. also, 5-10 minutes of frostbite? that's crazy talk...
. Can't they just make it easier to read? The font is all tiny and hard on my eyes. And don't even get me started on the ads. They're always popping up at the worst times, disrupting my train of thought. Anyway, back to the storm... I'm kinda concerned about this one. 2 feet of snow in a few hours is crazy! 
I live in the Northeast and we already have enough winter blues without that kind of stress. And with all the airports not having deicing equipment, it's gonna be a long weekend for many people. Just hope everyone stays safe and warm 
.
seriously though how are ppl supposed to survive without Netflix and their favorite pizza? 
the weather is wild but let's be real we're all gonna freeze our buns off anyway 
i mean 5-10 mins of frostbite? that's like, a whole episode of my fave show in no time! 
! Like, 2 feet of snow in some places? That's crazy 
. On a positive note, I hope everyone stays safe and warm during this storm 
. Just remember to bundle up and stay hydrated 
! The National Weather Service is doing its best to keep us informed, so let's all try to be patient with the forecasts 
. And can we just say that winter storms are like, so unpredictable? Like, I don't know what to expect from one day to the next 
. Anyway, stay safe out there and #StayWarm 
. I'm not sure why they're still issuing alerts for so many people tho, it's like half the country or something... anyhoo, travel plans are pretty much doomed unless you're a winter weather expert 
. I do hope everyone stays safe and warm at home tho... and btw, how do airports deal with this deicing thing? Is it like, super expensive to get the planes off the ground 
?