Winter’s latest storm has more than 40 million people across the United States in winter weather alerts on Monday. The alerts warn of significant icing and extreme cold for many parts of the country.
The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center shared that 15 states are expected to experience ice accumulation due to freezing rain, including a chunk of Texas, making attempts at travel a nightmare.
“Total freezing rain amounts could become significant across parts of central Texas, southwest Oklahoma, central Arkansas, and western Tennessee, where over a quarter inch of ice accrual is forecast. Additionally, low to moderate chances for three-day ice accretion over a half inch exists over parts of central Texas and Arkansas,” the center said.
Wind chill warnings are also going into effect for more than 15 million people on Monday morning, with some states hitting wind chills as low as 45 degrees below zero.
However, the center shared that the system leaving wintry precipitation isn’t expected to wrap up Monday, as it will come in several waves across the region through Wednesday.
On Monday, freezing rain and sleet is likely to begin in the morning from parts of Texas to the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, with temperatures expected to be below 30 degrees.
An ice storm warning will go into effect Monday night for parts of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, with the warning expected to last until Wednesday afternoon. During this time, the center warns that travel is going to be “nearly impossible.”
The Dallas-Fort Worth area and parts of surrounding states are expected to be under alerts until Wednesday, as freezing rain is expected to continue throughout the day Tuesday.
According to the National Weather Service, Texas will see dangerous travel conditions on Tuesday, with warnings of icy bridges and slick roadways.
“Avoid travel if you can, but if you have to get out, watch out for ice/black ice, make sure to give yourself plenty of time and to slow down while driving,” the weather service said.
In total, Dallas is expected to see significant icing from one-tenth to a quarter of an inch.
St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri, are also bracing for the system as up to a tenth of an inch of ice accumulation is expected in both cities and other parts of the state. The NWS shared that ice, paired with snowfall, will make driving conditions dangerous.
“The snow will result in reduced visibility, and the snow/ice will produce hazardous driving conditions,” the weather service warned.
A separate system is also expected to hit Southern California throughout the morning on Monday. The National Weather Service noted that rain will affect the region, with snow expected to fall down to 2500 feet.
Though, driving conditions are not expected to be as bad as in the rest of the country due to the storm.
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