It's the winter storm whose impacts could rival what we see during a hurricane. Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are falling from Texas to Kentucky.
Ultimately, more than 220 million people could be affected by Winter Storm Fern. More than a dozen states issued states of emergency as they prepare to respond to potentially widespread power outages that could last days.
One of the biggest worries is ice accumulation as this storm sweeps through the South.
You can track Winter Storm Fern's movement across the countryhere. We hope that you have your supplies, your devices are charged and you're safe and sound.
Throughout the weekend we'll be bringing you live updates, covering every angle of this storm.
(03:08 p.m. EST) Severe Storm Threat From Louisiana To Florida Panhandle Sunday
From Digital Meteorologist Rob Shackelford
No, this isn't a joke. Across the southern end of this weekend's winter storm, which has been named Fern by The Weather Channel, there is actually a threat of severe weather.
The severe storm threat spreads from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, stretching north into central Georgia. The strongest threat of severe storms, a level 2 of 5, spreads from the far southeast corner of Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle and southeast Georgia.
The main threats are gusty winds, but a few tornadoes are possible as well.
The storm really is pulling out all the stops.
(02:42 p.m. EST) Flight Cancellations Steady Today, Much More Tomorrow
From content writerRenee Straker:
Canceled flights across the U.S. have hovered under 4,000 so far today, but we're seeing Sunday cancellations creep up, as airlines prepare for the worst of the weather impacts at major airport hubs.
More than 8,000 Sunday flights are canceled so far, according toFlightAware.com.
Today most of the cancellations are at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Charlotte-Douglas International.
As freezing rain and ice reach the metro Atlanta area tonight, you can expect more cancellations out of Hartsfield-Jackson International.
(02:15 p.m. EST) Wintry Weather Set To Expand In The South
From senior digital meteorologistJonathan Belles:
Freezing rain, sleet and snow are already ongoing closer to the Mississippi River and in the Tennessee Valley, but a wintry mix is about to expand into northern Mississippi, Alabama and eastern Tennessee. Freezing rain and sleet are expected to be the predominant precipitation types through this afternoon with a larger layer of warm air still hanging on aloft.
(01:48 p.m. EST) Your Electric Vehicle Probably Doesn't Like The Cold, Either
With widespread power outages expected, those with EVs will need to be extra careful. Cold temperatures are able to drain your car's battery suprisingly quickly, even after the snow and ice have wrapped up.
For More: (Here's How Your Electric Car Will Handle The Cold)
(01:21 p.m. EST) West Virginia Declares State Of Emergency
West Virginia has joined at least 18 other states under a state of emergency as the storm impacts their residents.
After this kind of emergency declaration, National Guard members are often mobilized to assist local law enforcement and first responders. State governments can also request federal assistance.
These are some of the other states that declared emergencies:
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Washington, D.C., has also declared a state of emergency.
(12:55 p.m. EST) Why Winds Are Also A Concern
From senior meteorologistJonathan Erdman:
One factor is likely to be an additional headache for those in the ice storm zone: winds.
That's because the force of the wind adds to the weight of accumulated ice on trees and power lines. That increases the likelihood of trees, limbs and power lines being toppled, leading to widespread power outages in these areas.
And even when the freezing rain is over, lingering winds may continue to damage or topple ice-laden trees and trigger additional power outages as long as it remains cold.
I'll never forget the sound of cracking, then falling trees during the pre-Super Bowl 2000 ice storm in Atlanta.
We have more on ice storms and how to prepare for themhere.
(12:27 p.m. EST) Tennessee Cop Shows Why Roads Are a No-Go
From content writer Toby Adeyemi:
Sergeant Ellis from the Tennessee Highway Patrol just gave us a masterclass in "Please don't test these roads."
He literally walked out onto the ice to show how bad it is — roads that were salted this morning are already frozen over again.
His windshield? Completely frosted. Then a car zooms past him and he drops the realest line, "Going isn't the problem — stopping is."
Translation: stay home unless it's life or death. Let's leave all the skating in Tennessee this weekend to the Nashville Predators.
(12:04 p.m. EST) 18,000 Workers Standing By To Restore Power
From executive producerRon Brackett:
Duke Energy, which provides electricity to about 4.7 million customers in North and South Carolina, said it has more than 18,000 workers positioned across the two states to restore power as soon as it's safe to do so.
The workers come from 27 states and Canada. They are stationed in 22 basecamps, where they park their trucks, get food and board buses to hotels where they'll be staying.
"Freezing rain is going to be our enemy over the days ahead," said Rick Canavan, Duke Energy storm director.
"It will build up on tree branches until the weight causes them to break – bringing down power lines and poles. The freezing rain and ice will also make roads extremely difficult for our crews to navigate, slowing power restoration efforts."
(11:48 a.m. EST) Snow Blankets New Mexico Mountains
Heavy snow has covered the Sacramento Mountains in New Mexico.
A Winter Storm Warning was expanded in the state this morning to include all of the mountains and parts of eastern Hudspeth County.
The National Weather Service says a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for El Paso and several other areas.
(11:27 a.m. EST) How To Accurately Measure Ice Accumulations
From meteorologistTiffany Savona:
Did you ever try to measure ice from freezing rain? It's tough since ice doesn't coat the surface of objects evenly.
The National Weather Service in Louisville, Kentucky, breaks down an easy way to accurately estimate the thickness of icehere.
(11:04 a.m. EST) Ice Update, With A Little Good News
From senior meteorologistJonathan Erdman:
There are now reports of icing coming in as far south as the Texas Hill Country, including the town of Fredericksburg, west of Austin, known for its wineries.
While there are already reports of accumulations in Shreveport, so far it's been more sleet than ice, due to somewhat deeper, colder air near the ground.
Sleet doesn't accumulate and weigh down trees and power lines like ice or snow, so that's generally better news if an area has more sleet than freezing rain.
However, more freezing rain than sleet is generally expected in parts of the South going forward, leading to the danger of widespread power outages and downed trees.
(10:40 a.m. EST) This Is A Thing: Snow-nado
From lead editorJenn Jordan:
This storm isn't all bad (for now). It delivered a little magic in Norman, Oklahoma in the form of a mesmerizing "snow-nado."
Video shows wisps of snow caught in the wind at just the right angle, spinning into delicate, swirling columns.
Light to moderate snow is expected to continue in the area for the rest of the morning, so keep an eye out!
(10:15 a.m. EST) So... How Do Zoos Keep Their Animals Warm During Winter Storms?
From content writer Toby Adeyemi:
During winter storms, we get to stay bundled up or cuddled up, depending on how lucky we are. But what about the animals?
Turns out, zoos have a whole playbook for keeping animals safe when it gets brutal out there.
Buildings and barns get outfitted with heavy-duty heaters designed to handle extreme cold, and animals get extra hay and bedding to stay cozy.
Sensitive species, like orangutans, gorillas and even endangered turtles, get brought indoors when temps drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.
But here's the thing: animals can't just binge-watch TV all day, so zoos ramp up enrichment activities like food puzzles, caretaker training sessions and nature sounds to keep them from going stir-crazy. Shout out to the zookeepers!
(10:10 a.m. EST) 'This Will Be Definitely A Marathon'
Crews have been working throughout the night to clear snow off roads in Arkansas but, "as soon as we make one pass, it's covered again." said Dave Parker with Arkansas' Department of Transportation.
He gave us an update on the DOT's operations this morning, including how they use beet juice to help treat roads.
Watch that interviewhere
(09:51 a.m. EST) Power Outages Surge To More Than 80,000
In just the few hours since our first update, power outages have jumped to more than 80,000, according toPowerOutage.us.
Texas is still reporting the largest number of outages with nearly 40,000 homes and businesses impacted.
Outages in Louisiana have risen to more than 6,000.
Arkansas, Minnesota, Arizona, Ohio and Michigan are all reporting outages under the 5,000 mark.
(09:44 a.m. EST) Why Do Forecasts Differ So Much, Depending On The Source?
From lead editorJenn Jordan:
This was the question posed in our weekly "Ask A Met" series, so we did just that. According to ourSara Tonks, the answer lies in the key difference between a weathermodeland a weatherforecast.
Models are raw computer simulations, meaning data only. Whereas forecasts are human-driven and therefore nuanced. They're the product of meteorologists comparing tons of different models and sources (plus their own experience).
The result: Tiny differences in both the information and the interpretation can snowball into very different outcomes. Different apps and sites rely on different models, and of course, have different meteorologists digging into them.
For more on how some models are just better at certain predictions (and Sara's nod to "Jurassic Park"),read here.
(09:30 a.m. EST) Latest Storm Reports
From senior meteorologistJonathan Erdman:
The peak snow totals we've seen so far are 6 inches in several locations, including the Little Rock metro and near Hays, Kansas.
Dallas-Fort Worth is getting a little of everything from sleet and a little snow to some freezing rain on the far east and southeast side of the metro. That's causing some elevated roads to ice over.
Shreveport has picked up about a tenth of an inch of freezing rain, with sleet mixed in.
Up to 1.5 inches of snow has been reported in the Memphis metro.
1 to 2 inches of snow has been reported in both the Tulsa and Wichita metro areas.
(09:13 a.m. EST) Atlanta Is About To Get Iced Out
From content writer Toby Adeyemi:
An Ice Storm Warning has been issued across metro Atlanta. We're talking a quarter-inch to a full inch of ice—enough to snap trees, knock out power, and turn roads into a slip 'n' slide.
Saturday will likely stay dry until late afternoon, so if you're in the metro, handle your storm prep right now before conditions worsen over the next few hours.
(08:57 a.m. EST) Minus 40s
From senior meteorologistJonathan Erdman:
Three reporting stations in the upper Midwest plunged into the -40s this morning.
Two of them were near the Canadian border in northeast Minnesota, a notorious cold spot. Seagull, Minnesota, plunged to minus 43 degrees. The other was a reporting station in Iron County, Wisconsin, which bottomed out at minus 41 degrees.
Meanwhile, America's northernmost town, Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, had a record high of 31 degrees above zero Friday.
It's common for Alaska to be much warmer than average when the central and eastern U.S. is very cold.
(08:43 a.m. EST) Empty Kennels At Animal Shelters
From meteorologistSara Tonks:
After putting out calls on social media asking for anyone able to take in a foster animal for the weekend, animal shelters across the Southeast are happily reporting empty kennels ahead of the arrival of the winter weather.
Every dog available for fostering atAthensPetsin Athens, Georgia, andOconee Humane Societyin Seneca, South Carolina, (along with many others, I'm sure!) has gone home with volunteers able to provide them with a safe and warm place to ride out the storm.
Other animal shelters are prepping for the storm as well, includingFulton County Animal Servicesin Atlanta, which will have staff staying at the shelter for the weekend to take care of the animals.
(08:28 a.m. EST) What Is A 'Wintry Mix'?
From senior meteorologistJonathan Erdman:
You've probably heard meteorologists say this, but may wonder what it means.
A "wintry mix" is a mix of at least two of the following: snow, sleet or freezing rain. This term is used because sometimes the type of precipitation changes during a winter storm.
For example, when the air is cold enough, one location may start as snow, then transition to sleet or freezing rain as warmer air above the ground moves in, then change back to snow as the storm's center of low pressure moves away and deeper, colder air arrives.
Other times, a location in warmer air may start as rain, but then as colder air crashes in, that may change to freezing rain, then sleet, then snow.
Wondering about the difference between sleet and freezing rain? We have a brief explainerhere.
(08:10 a.m. EST) Flight Canceled? What To Know About Refunds
From executive producerRon Brackett:
With thousands of flights being canceled, there's a good chance yours could be among them.
Your airline will probably work to get you on the next available flight, but with this widespread storm, that could take a few days.
If you decide to throw in the towel and not fly at all, the airline is legally required to refund your money — even if you bought a non-refundable ticket, according to the Associated Press. It doesn't matter why the flight was canceled.
Even if the airline offers you a travel credit, you are still entitled to a full refund. You are also entitled to a refund of any bag fees, seat upgrades or other extras that you didn't get to use.
If you paid with a credit card, a refund is due within seven business days after you decline an offer from the airline for another flight or a voucher, and within 20 calendar days if you paid for the ticket with a check or cash, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
(07:50 a.m. EST) Snow Before Sunrise In Tennessee
As we mentioned earlier, parts of Tennessee are waking up to snow this morning. The Tennessee Department of Transportation showed conditions on Interstate 40 in West Tennessee.
We're seeing local reports of at least one crash along I-40 in Nashville.
(07:44 a.m. EST) Tens Of Thousands Without Power In These States
As the temperatures plummet, more than 61,000 customers have lost power across the country so far this morning.
The majority of those outages are in Texas, impacting more than 21,000 homes and businesses, according toPowerOutage.us.
Just over 5,400 customers are without power in Arkansas. Minnesota, Oklahoma, Maryland and Michigan are also reporting significant outages.
(07:24 a.m. EST) Bitter Cold Incoming
From meteorologistJennifer Gray:
Not only is Winter Storm Fern bringing damaging and destructive ice and snow to a huge portion of the U.S., but record cold temperatures are settling in behind Fern's massive punch.
Many areas impacted by ice could be without power during dangerously cold temperatures.
Wind chills will bottom out at nearly 45 degrees below zero for the Northern Plains. Even the Deep South will experience record cold.
Dozens of cold temperature records could fall between Sunday and Monday alone for many locations across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
(07:10 a.m. EST) Roadside Rescue In Oklahoma
Two people who ended up in a ditch as heavy snow hit Muldrow, Oklahoma, got pretty lucky overnight.
Meteorologist and storm chaser Jeff Piotrowski was able to pull them out as the wet snow blanketed Interstate 40. Piotrowski said at least 2 inches of snow was on the ground.
(07:00 a.m. EST) Digging Out Old Batteries?
If you're preparing for power outages and pulling out spare batteries or power banks, there are some safety measures you should consider, especially when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.
Danielle Spalding, lithium battery expert withCirba Solutions, a leading battery recycler, gave us these tips:
Inspect all batteries for signs of swelling/bloating, burn marks, cracks, corrosion, or overheating. These are signs that the battery is damaged and should not be used.
If a battery appears damaged in any way, stop using it immediately. Store it separately, tape the terminals with clear tape, and place it in a clear anti-static bag if possible, until it can be taken to a proper recycling location.
Store all batteries away from areas exposed to strong temperature swings and moisture.
Unplug devices once charged. Overcharging can increase the risk of fire.
Avoid leaving lithium batteries in extreme cold spaces, it could reduce their performance–this includes items like rechargeable power tools.
(06:30 a.m. EST) Where Is Winter Storm Fern Now
From meteorologistJennifer Gray:
The storm is dumping heavy snow from portions of North Texas to Tennessee this morning, while freezing rain and sleet have begun for the Dallas Metroplex and stretching into portions of northern Louisiana.
Four inches of snow have been reported in Little Rock, and much more is to come. Expect conditions to continue to deteriorate through the day, as Fern moves eastward.
You can track the latest watches, warnings and potential impactshere.
(06:10 a.m. EST) First Look At Overnight Snow
As the first flurries of snow arrived in parts of Texas and Arkansas overnight, residents got outside to take a look and document it.
The heaviest snow has been falling in Oklahoma through Arkansas. Freezing rain and sleet is underway in Dallas and will continue through much of the day.
(06:00 a.m. EST) Flight Cancellations Soaring
More than 9,000 flights across the U.S. have been canceled today and tomorrow alone. Most of the cancellations are at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, according toFlightAware.com.
We're also seeing hundreds of cancellations in Charlotte, Nashville, Chicago and Atlanta.
