US: Warnings issued as winter storm moves across southern US Dec. 7-10 /update 1

Event

The US National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings and advisories for large swathes of the southern US from Friday, December 7, to Monday, December 10. Ice, snow, and mixed precipitation is forecast from the southern Plains to the Appalachians, roughly following the route of Interstate-40, while heavy rain is expected further south. Snow and ice are expected in New Mexico, the Texas panhandle, and Oklahoma by Friday evening (local time), with snow and ice falling in the Ozarks and southern Appalachians beginning the morning and evening, respectively, on Saturday, December 8. The worst weather is forecasted for northern Arkansas, western and central North Carolina, and southwestern Virginia.

A winter storm warning is in effect for northern Arkansas from 00:00 on Saturday to 06:00 on Sunday, December 9. Snowfall up to 15 cm (6 in) is forecast along with around 2.5 mm (0.1 in) of ice. A warning is also in effect for southwestern Virginia, western and central North Carolina, inclusive of Chapel Hill, and northwest South Carolina. Snowfall ranging from 5-43 cm (2-17 in) is expected in the region depending on elevation and latitude, along with freezing rain and ice. Winter precipitation will likely begin Saturday evening in the mountains and Sunday morning in the Piedmont and last until Monday evening. Dangerous driving conditions, fallen trees and power outages, and flight disruptions are likely across the affected areas.

Advice

Individuals in the affected areas are advised to monitor local weather reports, maintain flexible travel itineraries, avoid unnecessary driving, and anticipate flight delays and cancelations, dangerous driving conditions, and power outages.