Story at a glance
- Icy rain and snowfall are expected to affect about 50 million people this week.
- Southern states warn that such severe weather may impair travel and power.
A renewed polar vortex is expected to hit about a dozen states, bringing frigid temperatures and snowy or rainy conditions from Texas to New Jersey.
CNN’s meteorological report says that two storms beneath an arctic air mass descending over North America are poised to bring freezing icy rain and snowfall to multiple states.
Winter storm watches are in effect for nearly 10 million people across more than half a dozen states as a significant ice storm takes shape. https://t.co/6ebxilxN6h
— CNN Weather Center (@CNNweather) February 9, 2021
The chilly weather is supposed to continue through Thursday, prompting weather warnings in Arkansas, Tennessee and Kentucky — all of whom are gearing up for up to an inch and a half or more of ice.
Travel is expected to be hampered as conditions worsen.
“Significant amounts of ice accumulations will make travel dangerous or impossible,” the National Weather Service said. “Ice accumulations and winds will likely lead to snapped power lines and falling tree branches that add to the danger.”
Other regions, like the mid-Atlantic states, are bracing for even more snow through Thursday, with cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. expected to get about 2-3 inches. Surrounding areas within those states will get higher amounts of snowfall, and toward the southwest, Virginia and West Virginia are expected to see 4-6 inches.
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