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A major winter storm is set to sweep the nation this weekend, bringing snow, sleet, ice and sub-zero windchills from the southern Plains to the Northeast from Friday to Monday. While it’s still too early to predict snowfall totals for areas east of the Mississippi River, heavy snow is expected in Memphis, Nashville, Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. Further west, 8 to 14 inches of snow is expected in Oklahoma City, 6 to 12 inches in Little Rock, Arkansas, and 5 to 10 inches in Amarillo, Texas. Simultaneously, a long-duration extreme cold event is likely to move in during and after the storm. Those who lose power might endure several days of below-freezing temperatures. Extreme Weather Jan 6, 2025 Take these steps to protect yourself from winter weather dangers In the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region, wind chills of 40 to 50 below zero are possible. In Texas and along the Gulf Coast, temperatures could feel like they are in the single digits, down to 10 below zero. More than 50 record lows are possible from Sunday to Tuesday, with Texas and southern states most at risk of record cold. Cities like Dallas could spend more than 48 hours below freezing, and cities like Chicago could see the same time frame with temperatures below 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The threat of a deep freeze jogs memories of a similar situation that unfolded in Texas in 2021, when a winter storm prompted freezing temperatures and days without electricity after generator facilities froze and demand for electricity overwhelmed the system. Deep freeze in the southern Plains The storm will get its start in the southern Plains on Friday, first wreaking havoc on Texas and Oklahoma before moving east with heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain that make travel unlikely to impossible. But perhaps the largest threat to the region is the freezing temperatures that will set in as the snow and ice melt. As of Tuesday night, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had already activated the state’s emergency response resources. The state’s department of transportation will pre-treat and then treat roads, and will help with traffic control. The Division of Emergency Management will provide maps of warming centers. The National Guard will be on call to assist stranded drivers, and a number of other departments will be available to clear snow, monitor utility providers and natural gas supplies, and monitor air and water quality. Abbott urged Texans to remain aware and check alerts before any necessary travel. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas said on Facebook that it is monitoring the approaching cold weather and will keep Texans informed about power grid conditions. As of Wednesday, the agency said grid conditions are expected to be normal, but Texans can monitor changes through social media and through their app. Icy in the southeast The storm is set to expand across the South on Saturday, with ice storms continuing in Georgia and the Carolinas throughout the weekend. Wind chills will be as low as the single digits to -10 degrees Fahrenheit along the Gulf Coast, and many of these areas are at risk for pipe freezing, including Memphis and St. Louis. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein advised residents in a Tuesday post on X to get prepared now — especially in anticipation of power outages — by collecting necessities such as batteries, food, and drinks. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety said people should plan to stay home and off the roads all weekend, and urged people in the state to wrap up their preparations by Friday night before the worst of the storm hits. The North Carolina Department of Emergency Management suggested stocking emergency kits in case roads become impassable. “Items like flashlights, batteries, and battery backups can make all the difference,” the department said on Facebook. NCDPS added in an emailed statement that items such as gallon jugs of water, non-perishable foods, pet supplies and food, cell…

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