Southern Cities On Alert As Possibility Of Powerful Winter Storm Could Set Up Blast Of Ice, Snow

The South should prepare for a potentially hazardous weather scenario this week, as a developing storm system threatens to bring widespread winter precipitation to millions across the region over the weekend.

A winter storm, officially designated Winter Storm Fern by The Weather Channel, is forecast to track through numerous Southern cities, with at least some form of wintry weather expected to arrive as early as Friday. This follows closely on the heels of snowfall that affected areas of the South just last weekend.

While much of the region will experience rain for portions of the week, the most significant threats are projected to build starting Friday and persist through Sunday, particularly across the eastern half of the area. (RELATED: Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula Sees Building Entrances Blocked, Cars Buried After Biggest Snowstorm In 60 Years)

Snowfall is likely to begin Friday across the Texas Panhandle, extending into Kansas, southwestern Missouri, and northern Arkansas. The potential of rain dominates the remainder of Texas, gradually spreading toward Georgia. Oklahoma City (Oklahoma) and Little Rock (Arkansas) will be impacted by the system at this point.

Friday night, a wintry mix and potential for icing will push southward into central Texas and across Arkansas. Snow and mixed precipitation chances will extend into the Mid-Atlantic, while rain reaches the Carolinas. The cities impacted in the evening will be Dallas (Texas), Memphis (Tennessee), Nashville (Tennessee), and Virginia Beach (Virginia), while Oklahoma City and Little Rock will also remain at risk.

The wintry mix and ice threat Saturday will expand farther south into Texas and northern Louisiana, while the same precipitation type spreads into the Carolinas. At this point, Washington D.C. will be impacted, while Oklahoma City, Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville and Virginia Beach will still need to be on alert.

🚨 Major Winter Storm Becoming Increasingly Likely Later This Week 🚨

Confidence has increased regarding significant snow and ice stretching from the Southern Plains on Friday to the Mid-Atlantic this weekend. Be sure to check back for the latest updates and Key Messages. pic.twitter.com/zl97yOaSOK

— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 19, 2026

When we get to Saturday night, icing potential will reach the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana. Central Texas will begin to see the wintry weather taper off, while snow begins to push northward into southern parts of the Northeast, potentially affecting New York City (New York). Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Houston (Texas), Jackson (Mississippi), Atlanta (Georgia) and Charlotte (North Carolina) will also be added to the list of affected cities. Little Rock, Nashville, Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C. will remain under threat.

Sunday, ice will conclude along the Gulf Coast. Precipitation will transition to mostly snow across Atlanta and the Carolinas, with most of the activity winding down by evening as the system exits offshore. At this point in the storm, Atlanta, Charlotte, Virginia Beach, Washington, D.C., New York City and Philadelphia will be the impacted cities.

Precise accumulation forecasts remain too uncertain at this distance, as model guidance will continue to refine in the coming days, but current trends suggest heavier snowfall from northern Arkansas to southern Delaware. Ice accumulations could reach significant levels in some areas, raising the risk of power outages, downed tree branches, and dangerous travel conditions. (RELATED: Hawaii: Kilauea Volcano Erupts, Unleashes Lava Fountains For 40th Time Since 2024)

The setup for widespread winter weather this weekend is ideal, which is why forecast models are increasingly confident in a broad impact across the South.

Two primary ingredients are driving this scenario. First, an Arctic high-pressure system is expected to settle over the Great Lakes toward the end of the week, funneling a surge of very cold air deep into the South. Second, a storm system originating in the Southwest will move eastward, lifting moisture northward ahead of it and producing the widespread rain expected.

As the Arctic high funnels in a surge of frigid air, temperatures across the region are expected to drop sharply, potentially setting up perfect conditions for a variety of wintry precipitation.