A significant winter storm, forecast to hit this weekend and persist for a week, threatens to become a "catastrophic event from texas to the north and south carolina states," warned Ryan Maue, former chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on 20/1.

Significant snow and ice accumulation could down trees, triggering widespread power outages and paralyzing traffic for days. This poses a heightened risk to the lives and property of the 150 million residents in the affected area.

Vehicles move slowly due to limited visibility from a snowstorm on lake michigan drive, ottawa county, michigan, 19/1. *Photo: AP*

Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather, warned that "hundreds of thousands of people could be without power and heat for days."

Areas from the South Central United States to the Mississippi Valley, typically accustomed to warmer climates and ill-equipped for significant ice and snow, could see several tens of centimeters of snow and freezing rain. This could force schools and daycare centers to close for multiple days.

Thick ice layers could cause trees and power lines to snap. Clearing ice from streets, highways, parking lots, and sidewalks may prove challenging or impossible, particularly in areas with limited de-icing supplies. The magnitude of the storm could overwhelm power grid repair crews.

During and after the storm, freezing temperatures, potentially plummeting to -7 degrees Celsius, -12 degrees Celsius, or even below -17 degrees Celsius, could lead to burst water pipes. Dallas, texas, is forecast to experience temperatures below 0 degrees Celsius for 48 to 60 consecutive hours.

"While this cold snap is not expected to be as prolonged or severe as the record-breaking and deadly february 2021 freeze, it will coincide with a major snow and ice storm," Porter stated. He added that the storm could lead to over 4,000 flight cancellations, with airports potentially closing due to icy runways or heavy snowfall.

Areas affected by the winter storm this weekend in the US. *Photo: Fox Weather*

In little rock, arkansas, residents were observed preparing for the storm at a local hardware store on 20/1. James Carter, operations manager at Fuller & Son Hardware, noted that "parents with young children are buying sleds."

Residents also stocked up on shovels, de-icing products, and anti-freeze covers for outdoor faucets, anticipating temperatures in little rock to fall below -7 degrees Celsius.

By Hong Hanh (According to AP, AccuWeather)