Winter Storm Forecast Gets Worse for Southern States

The National Weather Service (NWS) has updated its forecast for a winter storm expected to impact the southern U.S. this week, warning that major winter impacts are possible for the Mid-South.

Why It Matters

Much of the eastern U.S. has already been faced with plunging temperatures this month, and multiple southern states were under winter storm watches from the service as of early Wednesday.

Vulnerable populations, including infants and senior citizens, are at heightened risk of health issues due to the dangers of freezing temperatures.

Snow can also cause travel disruptions and hazardous driving conditions.

What To Know

An NWS post, dated January 7, said that heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain was expected for portions of the Southern U.S., alongside a forecast map showing that select portions of Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama were anticipated to see "at least moderate" impacts.

A subsequent update, dated January 8, said heavy snow was likely to result in "significant winter impacts" for much of the Southern U.S.

This forecast map showed a high chance of at least moderate impacts for the majority of Tennessee, a large swather of Arkansas, as week as portions of Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.

There was also a chance of "at least major winter impact"—which the service defined a "considerable disruptions to daily life"—in the aforementioned states, as well as parts of northeastern Texas.

What People Are Saying

The National Weather Service (NWS) said in a post on X, formerly Twitter: "A swather of heavy snowfall has a high chance (50-80 percent) of leading to at least moderate winter impacts from the Red River of the South and Southern Ozarks through the Mid-South and Tennessee Valley. Winter storm watches/warnings are in effect for much of the reason."

It also said: "Portions of the Mid-South have a medium chance (20-50 percent) of realizing major winter impacts, including the Little Rock and Memphis metropolitan areas. Widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur."

Meteorologist Chikage Windler wrote on X: "As of Tuesday night, the potential for significant winter weather impacts is highest in Northeast Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas."

AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek earlier this week: "The next storm will begin to affect Texas with sleet, freezing rain and snow Wednesday night into Thursday. Cities such as Dallas, Texas, Austin, Texas, and perhaps even San Antonio, Texas, can experience wintry weather."

What Happens Next

As of earlier on Wednesday, the latest NWS winter storm watches are in effect until Saturday morning.

Forecasts are subject to change, with the NWS publishing updates regularly.

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