Americans in 30 states have been warned to brace for one of the worst winter storms ever, with forecasters predicting record low temperatures across parts of the country.
Frigid temperatures of up to 50 degrees below zero and a deluge of 18in of snow, sleet and ice are expected in an area covering 200 million residents.
Arctic air from Canada is set to move south, aided by Storm Fern, which meteorologists are predicting will be one of the most devastating blasts in recent memory.
Some residents have been urged to prepare for days without power as the weather front sweeps swathes of the nation, starting on Friday.
Forecaster Gerard Jebaily, from Fox45 in Baltimore, said: ‘I don’t ever say words like this: “This looks more and more like ‘The Big One’ for some parts of the US.”‘
He added that the southern US, accustomed to balmy weather, could be completely crippled by freezing rain. And the weather expert said some of the damage could resemble the aftermath of a hurricane, with power down for a week afterwards.
Parts of New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Ohio, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, the Dakotas, Washington DC, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, and states in New England are all to expected be hit with the effects of the storm and freezing temperatures, impacting some 200 million people, according to The Washington Post.
Snow and ice will develop in the Northern Plains and spread south and eastwards through the weekend, when the most extreme weather will hit.
The mercury will plunge between 15 and 30 degrees below zero in the Dakotas and Michigan, with the wind chill falling between 35 and 50 degrees below zero in some parts, according to the Weather Channel.
In Duluth, Minnesota, the wind chill is expected to drop to a blistering 49 degrees below zero.
Frigid temperatures as low as 50 below zero and 18 inches of snow, sleet and ice are expected to hamper much of the country over the coming weekend
Residents cross a road in South Bend, Indiana, where snow had already rolled in on Monday
The National Weather Service (NWS) in the city has already issued advice that the drop is ‘life-threateningly cold’.
As the cold pushes towards the South, the storm will pick up with the Deep South, where temperatures are expected to be in the low teens and even 20s for some of the area.
With a forecast of dangerous ice in place, the potential for power outages is also high, forecasters warned.
On Sunday morning, Dallas, Austin and Oklahoma City could see wind chills dropping below zero.
On Monday morning, record lows are anticipated from Texas to Mississippi, with the NWS office in Dallas warning about the potential for widespread pipe damage.
A post to their X profile said: ‘Most of North/Central Texas drops below freezing Friday night and remains below freezing through Sunday.
‘Pipes will be at risk due to the prolonged cold’, they also told residents to locate their water shut-off valve and familiarize themselves with turning it off.
After plunging the South into freezing temperatures, the cold will head eastward up into New England.
The Northeast should expect to be slammed with temperatures as low as 20 degrees below the average for this time of the year.
A car movesthrough drifting snow last week in Michigan. With a forecast of yet more dangerous ice in place, the potential for power outages is also high, forecasters warned
Arctic air from Canada is set to move south, bringing frigid temperatures as low as 50 below zero and 18 inches of snow, sleet and ice which will be helped on by Storm Fern
On Sunday morning, areas such as Dallas, Oklahoma City and Austin could see wind chills dropping below zero
Government meteorologist Eric Webb posted a map on X, calling the storm ‘legendary’ while warning of the near-record-breaking Arctic air mass causing it.
He said: ‘We’re about to witness a truly legendary winter storm setup in the Southern US later this week
‘A near record-breaking Arctic air mass combining w/ an atmospheric river of moisture originating from the East Pacific will lead to a ridiculous amount of snow/ice.’
WSVN meteorologist Dylan Federico shared a map on his social media detailing the ice storm and its spread across the south.
He said that the storm would be both ‘destructive and potentially catastrophic’, saying that it would cripple travel, cause power outages and bring down trees.
‘This is a rare high-impact event – potentially the worst in decades since the Great Ice Storm of February 1994.
‘Computer models are calling for widespread ice accumulations of 1-2+” – for context – a half an inch is considered catastrophic.
‘Residents from Dallas, Shreveport, Atlanta, and Charlotte need to prepare like a hurricane is coming.
A large wave from Lake Michigan sends ice balls into the air at Grand Haven State Park in Michigan on Monday
The incoming storm was called ‘legendary’ by one government meteorologist on X
A resident clears snow from their driveway in Walker, Michigan, on Monday
‘Buy non-perishable food, water, gas, and charge devices. Protect pipes, plants, pets, and people.
‘It also wouldn’t hurt to trim vulnerable tree limbs close to valuable property. I would have warm clothes in case the power goes out.
‘You can forget about any travel north this weekend. An ice storm of this magnitude will cripple the I-20 corridor, along with any flights into this area, for days.
‘Ice impacts could even be possible as far south as I-10 in Texas and western Louisiana – but the swath of greatest impacts will likely stay north.
‘Either way, this is trending towards becoming a historic storm, and those in the path should heed warnings from local meteorologists and emergency officials.’
The official guidance for the storm from the NWS warned that the ‘expansive storm’ would produce snow, sleet and freezing rain.
The NWS added: ‘Confidence is high that a significant storm will occur, but not on specific details for the storm track, timing and precipitation amounts.
‘Start preparations now for an impactful and prolonged winter storm and keep up to date with the forecast.’
