Ice Could Deliver Most Disruptive Impacts of Incoming Winter Storm

The ice storm that forecasters have been warning about for days is here. The major winter weather event is expected to disrupt life for over 1,800 miles across a dozen states in the southern tier of the country. Here is a look at who should be ready for the ice and when it will begin to impact each specific region.

Widespread and Lengthy Power Outages Likely as Ice Storm Erupts

A multi-faceted weather maker will bring life to a standstill for over 200 million Americans this weekend. While the northern flank of the storm will feature heavy snow, a mix of snow and ice across portions of the Plains, the Tennessee Valley, and the mid-Atlantic is likely to bring about the most significant disruptions. This ice is likely to impact a zone from far western Texas to the east into the Carolinas and Virginia.

The potential severe impacts of this ice storm cannot be overstated. Likely effects include widespread power outages and significant travel delays. The impacts are expected to linger for days, as the ice piles up for over 24 hours. An ice event of this degree could knock out power for at least a few days. Unfortunately for those who lose heat, the lack of power will come as a mass of Arctic air invades the eastern two-thirds of the nation. The bitter cold air is forecast to filter in behind the storm, meaning that any wintry precipitation that accumulates is not likely to melt anytime soon.