WEATHER WIRE: Major winter storm packs snowy, icy punch for more than 100 million, snarling travel
A more than 2,000-mile swath of people is in the path of a long-duration winter storm. From New Mexico to Maine, 20 states are going to see some form of snow, sleet or freezing rain. Some cities may experience wintry weather for 24 to 36 hours, making travel extremely difficult if not impossible.
Coverage for this event has ended.
Power outages as of 5:55 a.m. Eastern time Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. Data: PowerOutage.US
There are currently 116,308 power outages being reported across the U.S. early Thursday morning. The majority of the outages, nearly 52,000, are in Texas, where snow, sleet and freezing rain are falling across northern and central portions of the state.
More than 11,000 customers are without power in Oklahoma, and over 10,000 are in the dark in Arkansas. Snow and ice are also being reported in parts of those states.
Video shared with FOX Weather by Kyle Sikes (@ILoveTornadoes) on Twitter showed ice was being to accrete on elevated surfaces in Waco, Texas, about halfway between Dallas and Austin.
As of early Thursday morning, Winter Storm Warnings extend continuously from Crockett County, Texas, all the way to Aroostook County, Maine, on the border with New Brunswick, Canada. That's a distance of 2,120 miles as the crow flies.
More than 114 million people are currently under National Weather Service winter weather alerts for snow and ice.
Heavy rain has resulted in flooding in parts of Central Texas early Thursday morning, triggering the closures of 56 low-water crossings in the Austin metro area. Another 18 low-water crossings are closed in the San Antonio metro area.
The National Weather Service said falling temperatures will likely lead to icy roads later this morning as the rain changes over to freezing rain across Central Texas.
The flash flooding risk will increase by Thursday afternoon in portions of the Southeast. Click here to read about this threat.
Winter Weather Advosories
Ice Storm Warnings are in effect across the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys until Friday morning. The area could see a tenth to a half-inch of ice with another inch of snow on top of that. The National Weather Service warns residents to stay off the roads in areas including:
- Lexington, Kentucky
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Paducah, Kentucky
- Memphis, Tennessee
FOX Weather has the timing of the rain, ice and snow.
Ice Disruption
Ice that will cause travel issues and the potential for power outages will impact the Lone Star State overnight. The heaviest sleet and freezing rain is expected to fall north of the Dallas metro area.
How ice can damage trees and topple power lines: Click Here
Coloradans are used to seeing snow but what fell from the sky on Wednesday was unique.
FOX Weather Snowfall Forecast
A large swath from northern Texas through Maine will see snowfall accumulations of at least 3” with many areas seeing more. Forecast models show St. Louis, MO will see at least an additional 5” of snow, and Cleveland could pick up more than 8” of snowfall.
Updated Forecast: Click Here
Most roads in the state of Oklahoma are seeing hazardous travel conditions and troopers are working several crashes. Significant crashes are being reported on I-35 north and south of the Oklahoma City metro and on I-40.
Oklahoma DOT roadway status map
Blue roadways= "Moderate" travel conditions
Orange roadways= "severe" travel conditions
Red roadways= Closed
If you must be out, here are 7 things to know about driving in winter weather: Click Here
The frozen precipitation is expected to cause numerous power outages from Texas to New England. At last report from PowerOutage.us, Texas had 12,000 outages and Oklahoma had around 11,000 outages.
19 hacks to keep your cellphone charged during an outage: Click Here
FOX Weather 3D Radar
The FOX Weather 3D Radar is tracking freezing rain moving into the Dallas metro area. Most of northern Texas is under a Winter Storm Warning due to the threat of freezing rain, sleet and snow. Download the free FOX Weather App to track the winter weather.
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Snow, ice and heavy rain will continue to expand in coverage over the Northeast. FOX Weather meteorologists expect Friday to be the worst day for travel in the region.
Pine Springs, Texas webcam
Visibility is rapidly deteriorating in western Texas around the Guadalupe Pass. Visibility was reported to be around 0.25 miles and winds were gusting to nearly 50 mph.
A Blizzard Warning is in effect for areas around the Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains. Meteorologists warn of accumulations of 4 to 7 inches are possible, with wind gusts as high as 60 mph.
Snow over New Mexico
With cold air mixing in with the precipitation, more and more locations are seeing snow. Accurately measuring snowfall amounts is vital for meteorologists, and you can help. Here's how to measure frozen precipitation: Click Here
If you are without a ruler, there are some fun ways to help gauge how much snow is on the ground: Click Here
Dave Parker, Public Information Officer for the Arkansas Department of Transportation, joins FOX Weather to chat about how the state is preparing.
Chicago snow so far (5 p.m. CT)
Only 15 miles separates Chicago's O'Hare and Midway Airports. The difference in snow totals is just under 6 inches.
As of 5 p.m. CT, O'Hare measured 5.6 inches of snow while Midway saw 11 inches.
The northwest portion of 465 in Indianapolis shows snow along the highway.
As of 6 p.m. ET, half of Indianapolis was seeing snow while the other half waited.
The freezing line divided the city, but it is expected to push southeast throughout the evening. This will give the whole city a chance for accumulating snow through early Friday.
Record snow for Flint, MI
A record daily snowfall of 9 inches was set in Flint, Michigan on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service in Detroit says that this beats out the old record of 8.3 inches set back in 2011.
Heavy bands of snow moving through central Illinois producing over one inch of snow per hour making for challenging travel conditions. FOX Weather’s Max Gorden with more from Champaign.
Aviation expert Kathleen Bangs says icy conditions on the ground from the major winter storm is causing flight cancellations around the U.S.
As wintry weather begins in Oklahoma, some police there say they are no longer working non-injury traffic crashes "due to the number of them."
Both Oklahoma City police and Norman police have asked instead that drivers just exchange insurance information & take photos for insurance purposes.
"As always we continue responding to injury crashes," OKC police said.
FOX Weather has teams scattered along the path of the storm from Oklahoma to New York to cover the storm.
Here is a look at what those teams are seeing Wednesday.
Dallas' DART light rail service will be suspended from Thursday though Sunday due to winter weather.
Top snow reports from the winter storm.
The major winter storm dumping snow across the U.S. has already created more than several feet of snow in area of Illinois and Missouri as of Wednesday afternoon.
Winter Weather Alert: A powerful winter storm is unleashing across a nearly 3,000-mile swath stretching from Texas and the Plains to the Midwest and Northeast through Friday. Heavy rain, ice and snow are causing a mess of things this morning, and it doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.
More than 100 million people are feeling the impact of this storm and millions more are in its path.
FOX Weather has full coverage with America's Weather Team to keep you ahead of the storm. Click here to watch live coverage.
State officials say road conditions are deteriorating rapidly.
Drivers are asked to slow down and avoid unnecessary travel after arriving at final destinations.
For more information about the winter storm, click here.
Winter Weather Alerts
Houston is under a Winter Weather Advisory from Thursday afternoon into Friday morning.
A major winter storm with heavy snow and disruptive ice will impact more than 100 million people across a nearly 3,000-mile swath stretching from Texas and the Plains to the Midwest and Northeast through Friday.
For more information about the storm, click here.
Click on the image above to watch video.
Up, up and away!
The National Weather Service in Norman, Oklahoma, is sampling the atmosphere ahead of the incoming wintry precipitation to gauge the strength and depth of the warm nose. The NWS said this will help with forecasting precipitation type.
Because of the storm, Trinity Metro is modifying its schedule.
Winter weather is expected to move into the region Wednesday afternoon and evening.
For more information about the winter storm, click here.
Periods of moderate to heavy snow will begin to shift east Wednesday afternoon into the evening.
For more information about the winter storm, click here.
Top snow reports as of 12 p.m. Eastern time Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the winter storm was producing snow and a narrow band of sleet and freezing rain over a large area from Colorado, New Mexico and northern Texas to parts of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. This slug of wintry precipitation will only turn more widespread as colder air continues to filter in, causing rain to change over to snow and ice farther south along the storm's path.
More than 6 inches of snow has been reported in a stripe from northeastern Missouri to central and northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana, including the south side of Chicagoland. The highest snowfall total in the Midwest so far is 14.4 inches in Lewistown, Illinois.
Portions of the Denver metro area have also received 6 to 11 inches of snow. Up to 22 inches has fallen in the higher elevations southwest of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Crews in Ohio have about 30,000 tons of salt to use in order to keep roads clear of snow and ice.
For more information about the winter storm, click here.
Get the latest on the winter storm here: http://bit.ly/3rj0TaT
(FOX Weather)
FOX Weather's Robert Ray will be reporting live from Columbus, Ohio, today as the winter storm makes its way through the area.
Tune in on FOX Weather. https://bit.ly/3L2ThkG
Road conditions are being described as “terrible” and drivers are being asked to stay home.
For more information about the winter storm, click here.
Click the image above to watch video.
Hundreds of people are without power in Missouri as a slug of wintry precipitation impacts millions of Americans from the nation's southern border to its northern border.
Just across the river in Illinois, nearly 1,500 people are in the dark.
Hundreds of flights have also been canceled.
The National Weather Service in St. Louis said dangerous driving conditions are leading to multiple vehicle accidents.
After a brief break in precipitation Wednesday afternoon, heavy snow is expected across the southern half of the region into Thursday morning.
A powerful winter storm is dumping snow and is forecast to produce ice across a large swath of the U.S.Winter weather alerts cover a nearly 3,000-mile stretch of the country – from Texas to New England.
"It’s just insane out here," said a future meteorologist in Bloomington, Illlinois, who posted videos on Twitter of heavy snow falling in the Midwest town.
Here are more pictures and videos that show how the storm is unfolding.
Snow totals so far
Some parts of Illinois could see 16 inches of snow from this winter storm.
For more information, click here.
FOX Weather multimedia journalist Will Nunley is in Memphis, Tennessee, where ice storm warnings are in effect.
Power outages are likely.
For more information about the winter storm, click here.
Crews are busy pretreating roads in Waller and Montgomery counties in Texas in advance of the winter storm.
For more information, click here.
Click the image above to watch the video.
Twitter user Wx_Geek shared this video of heavy snow in Bloomington, Illinois, with FOX Weather.
Data from a weather balloon released by the National Weather Service in Norman shows signs that a faster transition from a wintry mix to snow is possible.
For more information on the winter storm, click here.
Does anyone care for a swim?
This spot received a half-foot of snow so far, but other spots in Denver are near a foot.
The National Weather Service in Boulder said the band of heavy snow that moved across metro Denver early Wednesday morning hours has decreased.
Most accumulating snow is now falling east of Interstate 25, but it should spread back west into the afternoon. Expect mainly light snow through the day.
Snow plows are busy trying to keep roads clear in Illinois.
More than a foot of snow is expected to fall in parts of the state.
For more information on the winter storm, click here.
The National Weather Service says a weekly test of an emergency alert system will be postponed because of the winter storm.
For more information, click here.
Students and staff at the Fort Worth Independent School District will have a snow day on Thursday and Friday as a powerful winter storm moves into the area.
For more information, click here.
Leaders in several states are urging people to prepare for treacherous driving conditions, frigid temperatures and possible power outages.
For more information on the storm, click here.
Click on the image above to watch.
Joliet Weather Center filmed this footage in Joliet, Illinois, showing snow accumulating on the roads.
A band of heavy snow continues along the I-57 corridor with rates of 1 to 1.5 inches an hour, the National Weather Service in Chicago said. The band is now shifting east with snow tapering from west to east through the morning.
FOX Weather correspondent Max Gorden is in Champaign, Illinois where up to 16 inches of snow could fall by the time the powerful winter storm moves out of the region.
For more information, click here.
O'Hare International Airport in Chicago reports that airlines have proactively canceled nearly 380 flights and are reporting delays on average of 50 minutes for arrivals and 35 minutes for departures.
(FOX Weather)
Passengers are asked to call airlines directly to check a flight’s status before heading to the airport.
For more information about the storm, click here.
(FOX Weather)
The National Weather Service in Kansas City recorded current wind chills across the region as of 8:50 a.m. Wednesday.
Kansas City: -1
Lee's Summit: 0
Olathe: -2
St. Joseph: -3
Kirksville: -7
Maryville: -2
Boonville: 3
Sedalia: -2
Storm-related power outages can last days or weeks.
Make sure you have the following supplies on hand if your power goes out during this powerful winter storm.
For current storm information, click here.
Transition zone will move slowly to the southeast during the day, according to the NWS in Indianapolis.
For more information about the winter storm, click here.
FOX Weather 3D Radar
Millions of Americans are in the path of a powerful winter storm.
Download the FOX Weather app to track it using our 3D radar.
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Make sure you have an emergency kit in your car before heading out on snow-covered roads in case you get stuck.
For more information about the winter storm, click here.
The office is keeping an eye on the situation and is reminding people to check emergency supplies.
To learn more about the powerful winter storm, click here.
Click on image above to watch video.
FOX Weather multimedia journalist Hunter Davis is in Oklahoma City where she saw empty shelves in grocery stores as the Central US braces for a winter storm.
In addition to the cancellations, delays are averaging about 20 minutes.
Anyone scheduled to fly on Wednesday is asked to check with their airline before heading to the airport.
For more information about the winter storm, click here.
(FOX Weather)
FOX Weather Meteorologist Jordan Overton said these counties experiencing increasing outages are in the same areas seeing freezing rain at this hour.
(FOX Weather)
The National Weather Service in Chicago said it continues to snow steadily with rates of 1 to 1.5 inches an hour. The snow should gradually taper from west to east.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the National Weather Service give an update on weather and road conditions.
Snow is covering roads across northern Indiana, so state police are asking people to take it slow on the roads and increase following distance.
For more information on the winter storm, click here.
(Brad Stinson / Ralls County Sheriff's Office)
The Ralls County, Missouri, Sheriff's Office said all area tow trucks that deputies were able to reach stated they were not taking calls due to road conditions.
Sheriff Brad Stinson said he will not get much travel time in as he needs to help his deputies get unstuck.
"They are in all-wheel drives, and I believe that says it all. We have a sheet of ice under approximately 7 inches of snow in some areas. It continues to snow with wide area of blowing. I have already walked in drifts that were close to my knee cap," Stinson said.
Crews will be alternating which runways will be open and closed for snow removal.
For more information on the winter storm, click here.
FOX Weather has you covered throughout the storm
America's Weather Team will keep you informed throughout the storm.
For more information on the powerful winter storm, click here.
Track the storm in real time by downloading the FOX Weather app:
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Roadways across the state are covered in snow and ice, so law enforcement is asking everyone to stay home if possible.
For more information on the storm, click here.
FOX Weather takes a closer look at the timing of the rain, ice and snow across the center of America.
Major winter storm to spread snow, ice from Texas to Midwest, Northeast on Groundhog Day
To track the winter weather in your area, make sure to download the FOX Weather App.
The heaviest snow will fall south of Chicago in a line from Hannibal, Missouri through Springfield, Illinois to Lafayette, Indiana. The National Weather Service in Chicago asks drivers not to travel in that area until the storm has passed.
FOX Weather forecasts 18-24 inches of snow for that swath.
Snowfall totals
Radar as of 8:30 p.m. CT on Feb. 1, 2022.
A look at current conditions across the Midwest as of 8:30 p.m. CT.
Click here to download the app and track the winter storm.
Statement from Dan Landson of Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines canceled all flights Thursday into and out of Dallas Love Field in advance of the winter storm.
FOX Weather meteorologists expect rain to start Wednesday and change over to a mix of rain, sleet and freezing rain in the evening. The wintery mix will change to all snow on Thursday.
Icing likely
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt declared a State of Emergency as a storm bringing freezing rain, sleet, snow and strong winds closes in.
Eastern Oklahoma will likely see freezing rain early Wednesday changing over to snow into Thursday. Parts of the state could see 5-8 inches of snow.
Champaign, Illinois could see 10 to 18 inches of snow fall in the next couple of days. FOX Weather's Max Gorden checked in with the Public Works Department to see how they were preparing for the incoming snow.
"The last time we saw this much snow in this amount of time was 1999. That was 15 inches of snow in 24 hours," Kris Koester with the department told Gorden in a recent interview. "We certainly had more snow accumulation over a longer period of time. But, over this period of time it's been a while."
The state has 100 National Guard troops on standby ahead of the storm.
"I think this will be a refresher course and a learning curve all at the same time," continued Koester.
The Missouri Department of Transportation warns residents to stay off the roads until the storm is over.
“Crews will be focused on working the interstates and major routes through the storm, so smaller roads may not be touched for up to a couple of days,” said MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna in a statement. “With bitter cold temperatures forecast on the back end of the storm, it will make clearing the roads a slow process through the end of the week and into this weekend.”
Governor Mike Pearson already declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.
Missouri is bracing for sleet, freezing rain and ice ahead of nearly a foot of snow.
A powerful winter storm set to pummel a large swath of the U.S. has prompted officials in Dallas to call off school later this week.
North Texas is expecting rain, followed by freezing rain, a wintry mix and snow from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon.
In a tweet, officials at the Dallas Independent School District said schools and offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday.
Ahead of the winter storm, Amtrak has cancelled dozens of routes across the U.S. See a full list here.
Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker issued a disaster declaration Tuesday ahead of the looming winter storm.
The state is expected to take the brunt of the storm with up to 2 feet of snow possible and high likelihood of disruptive ice over the next three days.
Pritzker said plow crews, utility companies and member of the Illinois National Guard are prepared to respond to the storm.
"I also want to encourage everyone to do what you can to keep yourselves and your loved ones safe," he said. "First and foremost, listen to local authorities to stay up to date with the latest conditions in your community."
Frigid temperatures are forecast to follow the powerful storm.
(FOX Weather)
FOX Weather will have teams from Oklahoma to New York to cover the winter storm bringing ice and snow across the U.S.
(FOX Weather)
A little more than a quarter of Americans are under a winter weather alert of some kind Tuesday as a powerful storm system will produce snow and ice from Texas to New England.
Winter Storm Warnings have been issued across a dozen states. That number will likely increase as Winter Storm Watches that are in effect across 10 states are upgraded.
Winter Weather Advisories are in effect in for eight states that will be affected by this storm.
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