Massive Arctic‑Gulf Storm Set to Ice‑Coat Texas‑to‑Carolina Corridor This Weekend
Updated (3 articles)
Storm Formation: Arctic Air Collides With Gulf Moisture An exceptionally cold Arctic air mass descending from Canada is meeting a deep Gulf‑origin atmospheric river, creating a classic winter‑storm setup that forecasters say could produce widespread icing from Texas through the Carolinas [1][2][3]. NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center highlighted the low‑pressure system drawing Gulf moisture northward, while the National Weather Service noted the atmospheric river will feed the storm across the southern Plains [1][3]. The interaction is expected to generate heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain over a broad arc beginning Friday [1][2][3].
Projected Ice and Snow Accumulations Across the South Model guidance now shows most of the storm’s swath receiving more than 4 inches of snow, with isolated pockets possibly exceeding a foot [2][3]. Ice accumulation is forecast at roughly a quarter‑inch over a large portion of the region, especially along the I‑20 corridor from Dallas to the Carolinas and the I‑40 corridor further north [1][2][3]. These amounts are sufficient to weigh down trees and power lines, raising the risk of extensive outages and hazardous travel conditions [1][2].
Temperature Extremes Threaten Over 200 Million People Temperatures are expected to plunge below 20 °F across a wide area, affecting more than 200 million Americans, according to NOAA forecasters [2][3]. The bitter cold will linger into the weekend, keeping road surfaces slick even after precipitation ends [1][3]. In Atlanta, morning lows are projected to remain in the 20s through Sunday and into Monday, underscoring the potential for prolonged icy patches [3].
Travel Disruptions and Power Outage Risks Intensify I‑20 and I‑40 are identified as the most vulnerable highways, where ice could make travel “impossible” and trigger power outages [2][3]. Southern states lack extensive snow‑removal equipment, heightening concerns for prolonged disruptions [1]. A recent crash in Michigan, where more than 100 vehicles collided or slid off an interstate, illustrates the danger of sudden icing even outside the primary impact zone [1].
Sources
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1.
AP: Ice Storm Threatens Southern States as Arctic Air Meets Gulf Moisture: Emphasizes the storm’s expansive ice risk from Texas to the Carolinas, the atmospheric river’s role, travel concerns, and a Michigan multi‑vehicle crash example.
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2.
WBNS: Major Winter Storm to Blast the South with Ice and Snow Through Sunday: Highlights the Arctic‑Gulf interaction, sub‑20 °F temperatures for over 200 million people, I‑20/I‑40 icing threats, model confidence in snow/ice amounts, and urges public preparation.
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3.
King5: Major Winter Storm to Blanket South with Rain, Snow and Ice from Texas to the Carolinas: Focuses on NOAA forecaster Owen Shieh’s description, detailed probabilities for snow and ice, and lingering cold impacts in Atlanta.
Timeline
Jan 20, 2026 – NOAA meteorologists issue a winter‑storm outlook as an Arctic air mass dives south from Canada and collides with Gulf moisture, creating a low‑pressure system that could blanket Texas to the Carolinas with snow, sleet and ice; Owen Shieh of the Weather Prediction Center describes the setup as “a subzero Arctic air mass pushing south, with a cold front draping across the southern Plains”[3].
Jan 20, 2026 – Former NOAA chief scientist Ryan Maue warns the developing system could become “a widespread potentially catastrophic event from Texas to the Carolinas,” emphasizing the danger of heavy ice loading on trees and power lines[1].
Jan 20, 2026 – The National Weather Service alerts that an atmospheric river will channel Gulf moisture across the region, fueling “great swaths of heavy snow, sleet, and treacherous freezing rain” beginning Friday and persisting through Sunday[1][2].
Jan 23, 2026 (Friday) – The storm delivers mixed precipitation; more than 200 million people face sub‑20 °F temperatures, ice accumulations approach a quarter‑inch across a broad corridor, and snow totals exceed 4 inches with isolated pockets over a foot, confirming model confidence in widespread impacts[2][3].
Jan 23‑25, 2026 – Icing cripples travel on Interstates 20 and 40, prompting officials to urge drivers to avoid the routes; power outages threaten major hubs such as Dallas, Atlanta, Memphis and Charlotte, and Michigan reports over 100 vehicle crashes on an interstate near Grand Rapids as slick conditions spread[1][2].
Jan 25, 2026 (Sunday) – The storm begins to wane, but lingering cold keeps road surfaces slick into Monday, with Atlanta morning lows remaining in the 20s; authorities continue to advise the public to monitor forecasts and follow local guidance[2][3].