Blog Article

Winter Storm Update: Ice Threat for South & Midwest Snow

A significant ice storm threatens the South from Texas to the Carolinas this weekend. Plus, a Clipper brings snow to the Midwest. Get the latest forecast.

Update: The South's Icy Weekend & A Midwest Clipper

Update: The South's Icy Weekend & A Midwest Clipper

Alright folks, grab your coffee and let's chat. After one of the wildest 24 hours I can remember—we are talking historic solar storms and deep freezes all at once—the atmosphere isn't giving us much of a break. Get this, while we were watching the northern lights in Alabama last night, the data was firming up on a very messy situation developing for the end of the week.

Here is the thing. We have two main players on the field right now. We have a "Clipper" system diving through the Midwest today, and behind that, we are watching a setup that could bring a dangerous ribbon of ice from Texas all the way to North Carolina.

The Midwest: Quick Snow & Gusty Winds

First up, let's talk about what is happening right now. A fast-moving system is sweeping from the Dakotas down into the Great Lakes. If you are in Iowa, southern Wisconsin, northern Illinois, or Michigan, you are going to see some snow today into Wednesday.

Most folks will see a manageable 1 to 3 inches. However, if you are downwind of Lake Michigan in places like southwest Michigan or northern Indiana, lake enhancement could bump those totals up to 6 inches. The bigger issue here might be the wind. We are looking at gusts hitting 35 to 45 mph. After that terrible 100-car pileup we saw in Michigan yesterday, please take it slow. The roads might just look wet, but that blowing snow can drop visibility to zero in a heartbeat.

The Weekend Threat: Ice in the South

Now, here is the part that has me concerned. The data from the Weather Prediction Center is showing high confidence in a significant winter storm starting Friday.

We have a classic battle setting up. Deep Arctic air is going to be locked in place at the surface, while moisture from the Gulf tries to override it. This creates a "warm nose" of air aloft that melts the snow before it hits the freezing ground. That is the recipe for freezing rain, and it is one of the most dangerous types of weather we deal with.

Here is the timeline you need to watch:

  • Friday: The mess begins in the Southern Plains. We are watching a transition line from snow to ice across Oklahoma and Texas. If you are in Central Texas, this looks like a freezing rain event. Roads could glaze over quickly.
  • Saturday: The system moves east into Arkansas, Tennessee, and the Deep South. This is where things get tricky for outdoor plans. I know a lot of folks are heading to Charlotte for the Big Southern Classic Battle of the Bands. Folks, you need to watch this forecast closely. Saturday looks like it could bring a wintry mix to the Carolinas that would make travel treacherous.
  • Sunday: The system targets the Mid-Atlantic and the I-95 corridor. We could see snow on the northern side (think Virginia and Maryland) and ice further south.

The Deep Freeze Reloads

Even if you miss the snow, you aren't missing the cold. That Arctic front is getting a second wind. By late week, wind chills in the Northern Plains—places like the Dakotas and Minnesota—could drop to a life-threatening 50 degrees below zero.

This cold air is pushing deep, too. We have freeze warnings effect from Georgia down into Central Florida again. If you are planning on hitting the Boca Raton Beer, Wine, and Spirits Fest this weekend, you might be drinking an iced beverage, but you are going to want a heavy jacket. Temperatures are going to be 20 to 30 degrees below average for a huge chunk of the country.

Bottom Line

  • Midwest: Watch for slick commutes and blowing snow through Wednesday morning.
  • The South: Prepare now for power outages and impossible travel Friday and Saturday. If you are in that ice corridor from Texas to the Carolinas, check your emergency kits.
  • The Cold: Limit time outside if you are up North. Frostbite can happen in minutes with these wind chills.

We are going to be watching that freezing rain line like a hawk. Stay safe and keep warm, y'all!

https://ryanhallyall.com/blog/update-the-souths-icy-weekend-a-midwest-clipper