Millions of Americans are bracing for potentially fatal weather this weekend, with widespread heavy snow and ice forecast across the country.
The storm, named Fern, is expected to begin Friday and last through Monday, and is set to drop a foot or more of snow and catastrophic amounts of ice along its 1,500-mile path.
Texas and Oklahoma are among the states expected to be hit first and could face dangerous road conditions, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
It will spread into Arkansas and Tennessee overnight, before pushing into the Midwest by Saturday morning and reaching Alabama, the Carolinas and Georgia by nightfall.
The massive storm system is expected to bring a crippling ice downpour and potentially around a foot of snow from Oklahoma through Washington, DC, New York and Boston over the weekend.
Some regions in the Southern Plains and Midwest could be hit with more than 12in of snow, while predictions show the potential for a half-inch of ice or more for many areas, including parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee.
Here are the top 12 US cities set to be hit hardest by the impending winter storm, according to the Washington Post.
Oklahoma City
Winter Storm Fern is expected to hit the entire Sooner State on Friday, bringing snow, sleet, freezing rain and dangerously cold temperatures, according to the NWS.
Oklahoma City is forecast to accumulate between six and ten inches of snow and sleet, and wind chill values could drop to as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
City crews preemptively started treating the roads, and OKC police have advised residents to stay inside as much as possible.
‘Limit time outdoors, dress in layers, bring pets inside, protect pipes, and check on neighbors,’ police wrote on X.
Dallas/Fort Worth
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is forecast to experience life-threatening cold temperatures beginning Friday, according to the NWS.
More than 1,000 flights have been canceled for Friday and Saturday at DFW Airport and Dallas Love Field, according to FlightAware.
Ice accumulation totals are expected to reach up to half an inch, and wind chill values could drop to -10 degrees Fahrenheit.
‘In addition to the wintry weather, we’ll also have brutally cold temperatures and wind chills, particularly Saturday night and Sunday night with widespread single-digit lows,’ the NWS said.
Little Rock
A customer loads ice melt into their car at a Lowe’s in Little Rock, Arkansas, yesterday
Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency activated 168 members of the National Guard to support police during the winter storm.
Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced that the city’s emergency management has moved to 24-hour operations, effective Friday morning, and that salt trucks are out pretreating the roads.
‘If you do not have to be on the streets, stay off them,’ Scott said.
NWS has forecast three to four inches of snowfall for Little Rock, and two to three inches of sleet accumulation Friday through Saturday.
Tupelo, Mississippi
An ice storm warning from the NWS is in effect for Tupelo, Mississippi, from Friday 6pm CT to Sunday 6pm CT.
Total snow and sleet accumulations are forecasted between one and two inches and ice accumulations between one-half and one inch.
‘Expect power outages that last more than a day and extensive tree damage due to the ice. Travel could be impossible, NWS said.
Nashville
A truck treats the road with salt brine as Nashville braces to be hit with snow and ice
Winter Storm Fern is forecast to bring several inches of snow and some ice accumulation to Nashville, Tennessee.
‘Significant impacts are expected, including dangerous travel, potential power outages, and possible downed trees and branches,’ NWS said.
‘Wintry precipitation will taper off Sunday and will be followed by a prolonged period of bitterly cold temperatures.’
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee issued a state of emergency ahead of the storm and the state legislature canceled sessions.
Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, is forecast to get at least eight inches of snow, creating hazardous travel conditions.
‘A Winter Storm Warning has been issued for the entire area. Impactful winter weather begins Saturday with the worst conditions arriving on Sunday,’ NWS said.
‘Travel may remain difficult into next week as snow/ice removal will be difficult due to cold temperatures.’
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is bracing for up to one foot of snow this weekend.
‘Our staff has been preparing for the last few days,’ Mayor Corey O’Connor said during a press conference on Friday.
‘The priority this weekend is the safety of residents, crews and first responders.’
O’Connor said the city has 8,000 tons of salt to treat the roads and they are expecting another delivery to keep the roads safe.
‘We are expecting the worst, and we should always expect something like that,’ he said.
Charlotte
Some areas are bracing for more than one foot of snow. This map shows the likelihood that your community will be hit with at least six inches of snowfall
NWS issued an ice storm warning for Charlotte, North Carolina in effect from 1pm ET Saturday to 1pm ET Monday.
Total snow and sleet accumulations up to two inches and ice accumulations between four tenths and three quarters of an inch are possible.
‘Ice and snow covered roadways will become treacherous and impassable. Widespread power outages are likely due to the weight of the ice and snow on tree limbs and power lines,’ NWS said.
‘The outages could last for days in some areas. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.’
Richmond
Richmond, Virginia is under a winter storm watch as forecasters predict heavy mixed precipitation of widespread snow, sleet, and freezing rain in the area.
‘Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will become slick and hazardous,’ NWS said.
‘The combination of significant snow and ice accumulation on power lines and tree limbs may cause widespread and long-lasting power outages.’
Governor Abigail Spanberger declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm.
Washington, DC
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser issued a state of emergency ahead of the winter storm.
‘We’ve officially declared a Snow Emergency and a State of Emergency in Washington, DC,’ Bowser wrote on X.
‘A Snow Emergency, which goes into effect Saturday at noon, means residents must move vehicles off of Snow Emergency Routes.’
The nation’s capital is forecast to get blasted with heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain on Saturday.
Snow rates could reach over an inch per hour and total accumulation is forecasted between 6 to 10 inches.
New York
New York City is forecasted to get up to 14 inches of snow. Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday
The Big Apple is forecasted to get up to 14 inches of snow over the weekend from Winter Storm Fern.
‘The forecast don’t always get it right, but what is being predicted right now, whether it’s a foot of snow or even a little bit more, would be one of the biggest snowfalls that our city has seen in years,’ Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at a Friday press conference.
‘Tomorrow, as the storm nears, you’re going to see thousands of DSNY collection trucks and agency partners transformed into the nation’s largest snow fighting operation.’
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for the entire Empire State on Friday.
Boston
Boston, Massachusetts could get up to 12 to 18 inches of snow Sunday into Monday, according to the NWS.
Police issued a warning to college students in the city ahead of the weekend telling them to be careful when attending parties for the Patriots playoff game on Sunday.
