As a potentially historic winter storm is unfolding throughout the U.S., Winter Weather Alerts have now expanded to cover over 40 states. The system, spanning 2,300 miles and stretching from the Southern Plains to the Northeast, brings severe impacts of ice and snow.
From freezing rain in Georgia, snow in Texas and sleet in Arkansas, this massive storm has already started unleashing its path of impacting over 245 million Americans.
19 states and Washington D.C. are under a State of Emergency as Winter Weather Alerts have been issued for over 191 million people.
Both sleet and snow began falling across parts of Texas on Saturday morning and kids are taking advantage of the fresh powder.
Ice builds up on trees in Texarkana, TX
(Charlotte Belonie Hueter / FOX Weather)
Meanwhile, Oklahoma has already seen 2 inches of snow, blanketing roads and neighborhoods, with much more on the way.
Half an inch of ice has been recorded in Idabel, Oklahoma, with reports of large limbs and trees snapping from the weight of the ice.
WHAT ARE ICE STORMS AND WHY ARE THEY DANGEROUS?
Snow pelts Jonesboro, Arkansas Saturday morning.
Arkansas has been hit with some heavy snow as the massive storm moves through, with Little Rock recording 6 inches of snow by Saturday morning, shattering the previous daily record for snowfall of 4 inches set back in 1899.
Arkansas bore the early brunt of the sprawling winter storm that’s expected to impact more than 40 states through the weekend. By early Saturday, some roads were blanketed by hazardous travel conditions. Little Rock recorded 6.0 inches of snow by Saturday morning, shattering the previous daily record for snowfall of 4.0 inches set back in 1899. Ashley Luningham, Public Information Officer for the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management, told FOX Weather that state police have already helped drivers who were stranded earlier Saturday and detailed the other ways the state is prepared for the historic system.
Sleet has started to accumulate throughout parts of Louisiana, while three quarters of an inch of ice has been reported in Hall Summit.
Sleet accumulation this morning in Keithville, Louisiana
(Danielle Wilson / FOX Weather)
Ice has already started to build up and bring down tree limbs in Epps, Louisiana, as well.
Ice buildup brings down tree limbs in Epps, Louisiana
(Chase Miller / FOX Weather)
With ice and snow accumulations already started, the storm system will track through Monday and eventually reach the Northeast. Both snow and ice will continue to impact much of the country and their effects will likely continue well after the storm.
