A winter storm named Cora is set to sweep across the southern United States this week, bringing snow, ice, and dangerous travel conditions from Texas to the Carolinas and Virginia, just days after the year’s first major storm. Millions across Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia are under winter weather alerts.
The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, along with parts of southeastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, and northern Louisiana, is under a Winter Storm Watch. Snow and freezing rain are anticipated to create hazardous travel conditions, with interstates 35, 20, and 40 likely to be affected.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has activated emergency resources, and over 700 Texas Department of Transportation crews are pre-treating roads with brine and granular materials. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a Weather Watch, preparing for increased power demand.
Snow is expected to begin Wednesday in New Mexico and Texas, expanding across West and North Texas into the Ark-La-Tex region by Thursday. Dallas, which typically averages 1.6 inches of snow annually, could see its largest snowfall since 2010.
As the storm progresses, freezing rain may impact cities like Austin and San Antonio, while plowable snow is predicted for Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville. Birmingham and Atlanta may face a mix of snow and ice, heightening travel risks.
The storm’s path and intensity remain uncertain, with possibilities ranging from a weak system moving eastward to a stronger storm bringing substantial snow to the Northeast.
Key Details:
- Timing: Snow and ice will spread into the Southern Plains starting Wednesday night, affecting northern Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
- Impact: Dallas-Fort Worth, Little Rock, and Shreveport are under Winter Storm Watches. Treacherous travel is likely on Thursday, with icy conditions expected on major highways, including I-20 and I-35.
- Snowfall: Moderate to heavy snow, with accumulations of 5+ inches in some areas, is expected across Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
- Freezing Rain: A mix of sleet and freezing rain could make roads impassable in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.
- Friday and Beyond: Snow will expand eastward into Kentucky, the Carolinas, and the Appalachian region. Hazardous conditions may persist into Saturday, with potential impacts along the Eastern Seaboard depending on the storm’s track.
Stay prepared for delays, power outages, and road closures. Monitor weather updates and exercise caution if traveling.
