Giant ice band set to sweep across the United States

Forecast maps show a winter storm, resembling a giant tongue, poised to sweep from the southwest to the eastern United States, bringing extreme ice, snow, and severe cold.

Over 200 million people across 35 US states are preparing for a winter storm described as a "catastrophic event", expected to make landfall this weekend and last for a week.

Forecast maps show the storm resembling a giant tongue, sweeping across an area spanning 3,200 km, impacting approximately two-thirds of US territory. Around 175 million people reside in regions under extreme cold warnings, while nearly 160 million people are in areas with snow and ice warnings.

The storm originates from a low-pressure system in the southwestern United States, combining with moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cold air from the Arctic, then moving to the East Coast. Temperatures in many southern plains and Mid-Atlantic regions could drop to record lows this weekend. Residents around Washington and Raleigh, North Carolina, might experience the most severe cold snap since 2018.

Affected areas of the winter storm set to sweep across the United States. Graphic: CBS News

Affected areas of the winter storm set to sweep across the United States. Graphic: CBS News

Heavy snow will cover a wide swath across the United States. Some areas in the Texas Panhandle and the Ozarks could potentially see 30 cm or more of snow. The Appalachian Mountains and the Northeast are expected to receive the heaviest snowfall, possibly up to 60 cm.

Experts warn that in dangerous cold conditions due to the storm, frostbite and hypothermia can occur within 5-10 minutes of direct exposure to the outdoor cold air. Wind chill temperatures could drop to -40 to -50 degrees Celsius in some northern areas.

Prolonged severe cold could lead to widespread power outages and lack of heating in many residential areas. Regions in northeastern Texas, northern Mississippi, and southwestern Tennessee are forecast to be most severely impacted by ice.

The risk of transportation disruptions and paralysis is also very high, affecting both roads and airports. Officials in many areas have advised residents to limit travel or exercise extreme caution if driving is unavoidable.

Some airports in the South lack sufficient de-icing equipment for aircraft, potentially leading to widespread flight delays and cancellations over the weekend. Many major airlines have issued disruption warnings to customers and implemented free rebooking policies.

A Nashville Department of Transportation truck spreads brine on roads to combat ice and snow, 22/1. Photo: AP

A Nashville Department of Transportation truck spreads brine on roads to combat ice and snow, 22/1. Photo: AP

Rich Otto and Tony Fracasso, two meteorologists from the US Weather Prediction Center, stated that travel conditions will become "extremely dangerous" due to accumulating snow and ice, making movement in some areas "nearly impossible" during the storm's peak.

Local authorities also recommend that residents prepare a winter storm survival kit for travel, including: a jump starter, flashlight, shovel, blankets, warm clothes, drinking water, a first-aid kit, and other essential items for survival if stranded.

Texas transportation agencies are working at full capacity to prevent a repeat of the severe power outage disaster during the February 2021 winter storm, which caused over 200 fatalities. In many southern states, stores report residents rushing to buy generators, flashlights, and backup batteries. In the Fort Worth area, some essential goods have already become scarce.

In Chicago, the medical team at Rush Medical College is preparing for a potential increase in cold-related patients. According to Doctor Scott Heinrich, the hospital anticipates admitting numerous cases of cold exposure, frostbite, and hypothermia, especially among the elderly and those without stable housing or adequate heating.