(NewsNation) — A winter storm is moving across the southeastern portion of the U.S., bringing snow, sleet and other cold-weather conditions to a part of the nation not accustomed to coping with blustery temperatures.
Parts of the South could experience heavy snow and what forecasters are predicting as “disruptive ice” as the winter system moves across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and the coastal sections of the Carolinas.
Forecasters say more than a half foot of snow could fall along Interstate 40 and just south of the major thoroughfare, impacting states like Arkansas and Tennessee. Meanwhile, south of the heavy bands of snow and closer to Interstate 20 between Texas and Georgia, residents could see the snow change to freezing rain and sleet.
The polar vortex of ultra-cold air usually spins around the North Pole, but it sometimes ventures south into the U.S., Europe and Asia. Some experts say such cold air outbreaks are happening more frequently, paradoxically, because of a warming world.
Here’s what is expected to happen through the remainder of the week across the southeast.
Texas
A Winter weather warning remains in effect until 6 a.m. on Friday for parts of Texas, where between 4 and 6 inches of snow is expected to fall, according to NewsNation affiliate KLBK in Lubbock. Other areas could see less snow with some areas seeing between 1 and 3 inches. Some counties could see a mix of snow and freezing rain which is expected to create ice that will make driving difficult.
In areas south of Lubbock, heavy rains could produce flooding in areas around Houston, according to NewsNation affiliate KIAH. The heavy rains are expected to last until just after midnight on Friday. The National Weather Service is forecasting 2 to 3 inches of rain for southeast Texas as a low-pressure system is expected to move through and advance toward the Gulf of Mexico.
Oklahoma
Snow, which could be light to moderate, is expected to fall throughout the state during the day on Thursday. NewsNation affiliate KFOR reported that snow was expected to begin falling south of the metropolitan Oklahoma City area and move north. Snow is expected to diminish overnight Thursday into Friday with some areas experiencing blowing and drifting snows.
Arkansas
Snow is expected to move across the state on Thursday and will become more intense as the day goes on, NewsNation affiliate Fox 16 in Little Rock reported. Heavy snow is expected to continue overnight Thursday into Friday with Central and Northern Arkansas seeing between 5 and 9 inches of snow with some areas seeing up to a foot of snow. Northern Arkansas should see less snow (1 to 3 inches) where less moisture will be seen.
Southern Arkansas will likely see a mix of freezing rain and snow with ice accumulations building to up to a quarter of an inch, the station reported. The ice accumulation could cause power outages and damage to trees. Most areas will see 2 to 4 inches of snow with some areas in the southern portion of the state experiencing higher snow totals that could reach 5 to 7 inches, the station reported.
Tennessee
The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency has declared a state of emergency as major snow is expected to fall across the state, according to NewsNation affiliate WKRN in Knoxville. Snow is expected to begin falling late Friday morning and will increase in intensity between 3 and 11 p.m. on Friday. Portions of Eastern Tennessee could see between 2 and 4 inches of snow with some isolated areas receiving up to 6 inches, the station reported.
The highest peaks of the Smokie Mountains could get hit with between 6 and 8 inches of snow. Travel across the region is expected to be impacted throughout the weekend.
Alabama
The storm, which is coming in the form of a Gulf Low in Alabama will arrive on Thursday night and remain in place until Friday night, NewsNation affiliate CBS 2 reported. A weather alert has been issued between Thursday and Friday night for portions of the state while a winter storm warning will be issued for parts of Alabama on Friday evening.
The low will cause moisture and rain to blend with cold temperatures which will cause the precipitation to mix with freezing rain, sleet and snow on Friday.
Areas around Birmingham are expected to see ice and snow and accumulations of between 2 and 5 inches of snow are forecasted along areas along and north of 1-20, including Birmingham, the station reported. Travel is not encouraged between Friday night and Saturday.
Louisiana
The northern portion of the state will experience a mix of winter weather conditions over the next couple of days, according to NewsNation affiliate KTAL/KMSS in Shreveport. Most affected areas will see rain set up on Thursday before conditions turn colder on Friday with snow and sleet arriving.
The station reported there is a slim chance the region could see freezing rain. The best chance of seeing some accumulation will be in the area between I-20 and I-30. Most locations will likely see less than 1/10” of ice accumulation. In the worst-case scenario, there is a 10% chance that more ice buildup will occur.
Georgia
A winter storm watch is expected to go into effect between Friday morning and Saturday morning for the northern portion of the Central Savannah River Area with portions around I-20 seeing most of the significant weather, NewsNation affiliate ABC6 reported. A threat of a wintery mix of rain and sleet is expected throughout the day Friday. This area has an 80% chance of experiencing winter weather.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp announced the closure of some state offices on Friday, while Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said all city offices would be closed that day, with employees working remotely.
North of I-20, residents could see up to 1.5 inches of snow in some areas while areas around the central portion of the CSRA will see about a 40% chance of winter weather with a mix of snow and ice. South of I-20 only trace amounts of snow and ice are expected.
South Carolina
Inland areas of the state are most likely to be affected although it likely won’t be in the form of snow, NewsNation affiliate WBTW in Myrtle Beach reported. Some areas have seen temperatures dip below freezing in recent days, which sets up portions of South Carolina for the possibility of freezing rain. Temperatures around the state are expected to remain about 10 degrees below average but nighttime lows in the mid-20s will settle in as moisture moves in on Friday, creating the chance for a wintery mix.
