Winter Weather Warnings in 15 States As 15 Inches of Snow To Hit

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Winter storm warnings and freeze warnings are in place across 15 states due to freezing temperatures, snowfall, and hazardous road conditions.

Why It Matters

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

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued the warnings as a powerful polar vortex continues to make temperatures plunge nationwide this week. Snow and freezing conditions are predicted across large regions of the South, the Southeast, and the Ohio Valley climate regions.

A map released by the NWS shows the areas impacted. Pink means a winter storm warning is in place; and light purple means a less serious winter weather advisory is in place. Dark purple means there is a freeze warning, while sky blue means a less serious freeze watch.

A winter storm warning indicates that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected. It can also be issued if sleet accumulation will be at least half an inch.

A freeze warning is issued when temperatures are expected to drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period of time.

Breakdown by Region

The South

Widespread weather warnings are in place in the South, with winter storm warnings affecting Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, as well as Mississippi and Louisiana, where freeze warnings are also in place.

Winter Storm Warnings

Parts of north-central and northeast Texas, including Dallas-Fort Worth, are under a winter storm warning from 6 a.m. Thursday to noon Friday. Snow and sleet accumulations are expected between 2 and 4 inches, with ice accumulations of up to one-10th of an inch.

Portions of southern and southeastern Oklahoma, including Durant and McAlester, are under a winter storm warning from 6 a.m. Thursday to noon Friday. Heavy mixed precipitation is expected, with snow accumulations ranging from 2 to 6 inches and a light glaze of ice.

Central and northern Arkansas, including areas near Fayetteville and Little Rock, face a winter storm warning from noon Thursday to 6 p.m. Friday. Snow accumulations may range from 3 to 9 inches, with ice accumulation up to a quarter-inch in some areas.

Central and northern Mississippi, including Jackson and Tupelo, will experience snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches and ice up to one-10th of an inch. The winter storm warning is in effect from noon Thursday to midnight Friday.

Northwest Louisiana, including Shreveport, will see snow and sleet accumulations of 2 to 8 inches, with ice up to a quarter-inch possible. The warning is in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday to noon Friday. Roads, bridges, and power lines may be impacted, causing disruptions.

Freeze Warnings

Southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Gulfport, remain under a freeze warning until 9 a.m. Thursday. Temperatures are expected to drop as low as 29 degrees Fahrenheit. Residents should take precautions to protect plants, pipes, and pets from freezing conditions.

The Southeast

In the Southeast, a winter storm warning is in place in parts of Alabama and a freeze warning is effecting large portions of Florida and Georgia.

Winter Storm Warnings

Portions of central and northern Alabama, including Birmingham, Anniston, and Gadsden, are under winter storm warnings from midnight tonight through 6 a.m. CST Saturday. Heavy snow, mixed at times with sleet and freezing rain, is forecast. Accumulations are expected to reach up to 3 inches of snow and sleet, with ice accumulations up to 0.1 inches. Travel is anticipated to be hazardous, particularly on bridges and overpasses, and lingering moisture could refreeze Friday night into Saturday morning.

Freeze Warnings

These are widespread across northern Florida and southeastern Georgia, including areas such as Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Valdosta.

Subfreezing temperatures as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit are expected, with wind chills dropping to 17 degrees Fahrenheit. These warnings are in effect until 9 a.m. EST Thursday, with an additional freeze watch from Thursday evening through Friday morning for similar areas.

Coastal and inland parts of central Florida, including Daytona Beach and Ocala, will also see lows between 28 and 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Frost and freeze conditions may damage sensitive vegetation and unprotected outdoor plumbing. Wind chills could lead to hypothermia with prolonged exposure. Residents are advised to protect plants, pets, and vulnerable populations from the cold.

The Ohio Valley

A winter storm is impacting the Ohio Valley, bringing heavy snow, hazardous travel conditions, and strong winds to multiple states across the region.

Winter Storm Warnings

Portions of eastern and southern Missouri, including areas near St. Louis and Springfield, are under winter storm warnings. Heavy snow is forecast with total accumulations of 3 to 6 inches. The warnings are in effect from Thursday evening until 6 p.m. CST Friday.

Large portions of southern Indiana and north-central, east-central, and southern Kentucky are also affected. Snowfall is expected to total between 3 and 6 inches, with locally higher amounts near the Kentucky-Tennessee border. The warnings will remain in effect from early Friday morning through Saturday morning. Roads, including bridges and overpasses, are anticipated to become slick and dangerous, particularly impacting Friday commutes.

In southeastern West Virginia, areas including Snowshoe and Harman are experiencing ongoing heavy snow with additional accumulations of 4 to 6 inches expected. The warnings here remain in place until noon Thursday. Gusty winds, reaching up to 45 mph, could bring down tree branches and create dangerously low wind chills.

The Southwest

The Southwest region is experiencing a mix of winter weather hazards, including heavy snowfall in New Mexico's mountains and dangerously cold temperatures across much of Arizona.

Winter Storm Warnings

Portions of southern New Mexico, including the Sacramento Mountains, remain under a winter storm warning until 5 a.m. MST Friday. Heavy snow with additional accumulations of 3 to 5 inches is forecast, especially during Thursday afternoon and evening. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph, creating hazardous travel conditions with visibility dropping below a quarter-mile due to blowing snow.

Freeze Warnings

Subfreezing temperatures are expected across Arizona, including the Tucson metro area, parts of Pinal County, Cochise County, and the Upper Gila River Valley. Overnight lows could dip as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit in colder valleys, with most areas seeing temperatures in the mid-20s to low-30s. These conditions are forecast until 10 a.m. MST this morning, with another freeze warning in effect from 10 p.m. tonight to 10 a.m. Friday.

The West

Freeze Warnings

Subfreezing temperatures as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit are forecast in regions of California's San Joaquin Valley. These conditions may harm crops, sensitive vegetation, and unprotected outdoor plumbing. The freeze warning is in effect until 9 a.m. PST today.

Alaska

Winter Storm Warnings

Heavy snow is forecast on the Klondike Highway, particularly near White Pass, with total accumulations of 12 to 15 inches. The heaviest snowfall is expected early Thursday morning, with rates exceeding 1 inch per hour at times. Moderate to heavy snow showers will continue through Thursday evening. Travel is highly discouraged due to hazardous conditions.

Travel and Safety

The NWS urges residents in affected areas to limit travel during severe weather and to carry emergency supplies such as flashlights, food and water. Motorists should prepare for sudden visibility changes, blizzard conditions, and icy roads.

As the winter storm progresses, more updates are expected from local authorities to guide residents and travelers through potentially dangerous conditions.