Winter storm watches were in place for 10 states from the National Weather Service (NWS) early on Wednesday, with "heavy snow" forecast in some areas.
Why It Matters
Snow can cause travel disruptions and create hazardous driving conditions.
Vulnerable populations, including infants and senior citizens, are at heightened risk of health issues due to the dangers of freezing temperatures.
What To Know
At the time of writing, states under winter storm watch included Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Areas affected included northeast Texas, southeast Oklahoma, the majority of Arkansas, northern Louisiana, the entirety of Tennessee, northern Mississippi, Western Kentucky, northern Georgia, northern Louisiana, and the westernmost tip of Virginia.
The NWS said heavy snow or mixed precipitation was possible in affected areas, warning that the former could make some roads impassable, and that hazardous driving conditions could affect commuters on Thursday and Friday, depending on location.
In some instances, the service advised delaying travel and, if travel was necessary, bringing a winter storm kit.
Up to 5 inches of snow accumulation was possible in swathes of central, eastern, north central, and Western Arkansas, the service said.
Up to 7 or 8 inches was possible in portions of Tennessee, while parts of north central and northeast Texas could see up to 5 inches.
Parts of Kentucky within the watch area could face up to 5 inches, though locally higher amounts were possible, the NWS said.
The service added that a winter storm watch is issued "when there is the potential for significant and hazardous winter weather within 48 hours."
It noted that this does not mean that significant and hazardous winter weather will occur, only that it is possible.
What People Are Saying
Meteorologist Chikage Windler wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "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: "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
Although the duration of the winter storm watches varies from state to state, at time of writing, the latest storm watches were in effect until Saturday morning.
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