Today marks the start of a historic, widespread winter storm that will bring snow and damaging ice across the country, affecting 170 million people from the South to the Northeast.
Dubbed Winter Storm Fern by the Weather Channel, forecasts predict ice damage and heavy snow will affect homeowners and travelers alike beginning today and through Monday, with at least 14 states declaring states of emergency due to the weather conditions and dangerous temperatures.
However, how much snow depends on where you live; and as of now there are several models that track the storm and predict different accumulations.
Here are the latest numbers, according to meteorologists and the National Weather Service.
How much snow will we get?
“A significant winter storm is expected to threaten more than 170 million Americans with widespread heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England through Monday,” the newspaper said. National Weather Service Forecast Center on Friday, ahead of the worst of the storm.
They shared the above map showing the forecast impact, indicating that extremely cold air will follow the snowfall, “extending dangerous travel and infrastructure impacts into next week.”
The storm will start with snow and ice in New Mexico Friday afternoon, spreading a wintry mix to Dallas and snow to Oklahoma City by the evening.
Saturday will bring the most dangerous icing and heavy snow to the south. By morning, a wintry mix and freezing rain will extend from San Antonio, Dallas and Little Rock to Memphis, Shreveport and Tupelo.
Dallas and Houston
In 2021, a winter storm dumped up to 10 inches of snow and dropped temperatures below 0 degrees. The National Weather Service has a winter storm watch for all of North Texas for the coming weekend, although these types of numbers won’t be seen in the region.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is expected to see the greatest impact, with the heaviest impacts expected Friday at 9 p.m., and the entire region is expected to be hit by an Arctic cold front starting Friday afternoon, bringing a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for North and Central Texas from 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday afternoon. This will be followed by an Extreme Cold Warning, which will be in effect from Saturday evening through Monday morning.
According to the NWS, North Texas is expected to see a full transition to sleet and snow late Saturday before the wintry precipitation ends Sunday. Accumulation could be as much as 2 inches and there are concerns that excessive ice could damage power lines.
Meanwhile, freezing rain and sleet are likely to move into the Houston area on Saturday, with light snow possible early Sunday. However, given the area’s warmer temperatures, heavy snowfall and large accumulations are unlikely.
Tulsa and Oklahoma City
According to local reports, a winter storm watch will be in effect for most of Oklahoma from Friday afternoon until late Sunday morning.
Eastern Oklahoma, including Tulsa, is expected to receive several inches of snow. Light snow is forecast to fall beginning Friday afternoon, increasing in intensity through Saturday morning, transitioning to alternating periods of moderate to heavy snow.
As for Oklahoma City, temperatures will be very cold, with periods of snow starting Friday and accumulating from 6 to 10 inches, according to AccuWeather. Another 1 to 3 centimeters is expected to fall on Saturday.
Atlanta
The National Weather Service expanded its Winter Storm Watch to include most of north Georgia and the metro Atlanta area, saying significant ice accumulation is possible.
Although snow is forecast for Atlanta this long weekend, local forecasters appear to be much more concerned about the impact of ice in the area.
FOX 5 Storm Team chief meteorologist David Chandler warned that the “main concern” for residents is ice build-up creating dangerous conditions for roads and homes.
“The ice accumulation would be destructive. We’re talking more than half an inch of ice in most areas,” Chandley said. “That brings down trees, that brings down power lines. That’s why we’re concerned.”
Freezing rain will dominate the forecast for most of the weekend, starting as early as Saturday morning as temperatures drop significantly. The chance of snow won’t develop until Monday, but will eventually decrease later in the day.
Nashville and Memphis, TN
As great as it sounds, Nashville has the potential to see a significant amount of snow this weekend.
Nashville will likely receive two to four inches of snow and sleet as a result of this storm. Additionally, 1/4-1/2 inch of freezing rain (icing) is possible.
Memphis is also expected to see snow throughout the weekend, albeit with smaller snowfall accumulation of at least 2 inches.
Huntsville, AL
Central Alabama and cities like Huntsville, AL, could see some showers over the winter weekend, but that’s looking less and less likely with the latest forecast data.
Local predictions predicting there will be a better chance of snow south of Birmingham. Still, homeowners across the state should prepare for bitter temperatures starting Friday.
Boston
According to local weather reportsBoston will see light snow as early as Sunday morning, but could slowly increase in intensity through the afternoon and become steady and heavy by nightfall.
The peak of the storm will occur from approximately 5:00 PM on Sunday until 5:00 AM on Monday. Some predict 4 to 8 inches of snow will cover all of southern New England
Philadelphia
According to the latest update from the National Weather Service, Philadelphia has an 80% chance of seeing at least 6 inches of snow on Monday.
However, depending on the movement of the storm, this may increase or decrease. On the current trajectory, which curves more south, there will be higher accumulations south of the I-95 corridor, meaning homeowners in Philly will see snow, but in manageable amounts.
But should the storm move north, the area could see higher accumulations.
The bigger concern for the area is the bitter temperatures. Temperatures are expected to barely rise above 20 degrees in the Philadelphia area on Saturday and Sunday, while overnight lows will linger in the teens.
New York City
Like Philadelphia, New York City will be hit with heavy snow on Sunday, although the storm will drop flakes as early as Saturday.
While 1 to 2 inches are expected Saturday, there will be two waves of accumulation once Sunday arrives. The first snow starts on Sunday morning, after which snow falls again in the afternoon until the night.
