When the most intense winter arrives in the United States: an extreme storm of snow, ice, and Arctic cold

As winter progresses in the United States, the most severe weather system of the season is approaching with extraordinary magnitude. When this phenomenon begins in the U.S., it will bring a devastating combination of Arctic air, widespread precipitation, and dangerously low temperatures that will affect millions of residents from the Southwest to the Atlantic Coast.

The Magnitude of the Upcoming Winter Storm

According to analyses from AccuWeather and Fox Weather, when winter arrives as expected for this period, the weather system will reach impressive dimensions. It is expected to impact more than two dozen states as it moves from the Southwest eastward, covering an area over 2,000 miles (more than 3,000 kilometers). This winter storm will bring some form of winter impact to over 150 million people, with estimates rising to 175 million residents.

The system will begin developing next Friday (February 13) and remain active throughout the weekend, with effects potentially lasting several days afterward due to the persistence of Arctic air. Major cities such as Dallas, Austin, New York, Boston, and Washington D.C., among others, are directly in the path of the phenomenon. The overlap of multiple risks—heavy snow in some areas, severe ice in others, and a mass of Arctic air maintaining extremely low temperatures—characterizes this event as one of the most complex of the winter.

Regions at Highest Risk: Extreme Snowfall

A broad stretch of territory will experience significant snow accumulations requiring intensive removal efforts. This zone extends from northeastern New Mexico and northwestern Texas, through Kansas and northern Oklahoma, reaching southeastern New York, New Jersey, and New England.

In these regions affected by the winter storm, many locations in the coldest core of the system could record between 6 and 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of snow. Mountain areas of the Appalachians could see accumulations exceeding 2 feet (0.6 meters), significantly increasing the risk of prolonged isolation and transportation difficulties.

Densely populated urban corridors—Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma City, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Boston—will face considerable impacts even with moderate accumulations, given the volume of traffic and concentrated populations in these areas.

Ice as the Main Threat During the Storm

While snow presents a major challenge, ice is the most critical danger of this winter storm. More than 15 states, from Nevada to the East Coast, will experience episodes of freezing rain between Friday and next Monday.

The highest risk areas include regions from central Texas to Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. In specific points within these regions, along with Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, accumulations of up to half an inch (1.3 centimeters) of ice are forecasted. Although this thickness may seem insignificant, it is enough to bring down trees, compromise power lines, and cause widespread outages that could affect entire communities for days.

Subzero Temperatures: Duration and Reach of Arctic Cold

After the precipitation passes, Arctic air will maintain a prolonged dominance over much of the eastern North American territory. In cities like Dallas, temperature drops below 32°F (0°C) are expected to last for consecutive periods of 48 to 60 hours. While these conditions do not match the intensity of the historic February 2021 outbreak, combined with a storm of considerable magnitude, they will amplify the overall effects.

Across the Midwest and Northeast, maximum temperatures will be in the single digits or even in the 10°F range (-12°C to -9°C). These extreme conditions will greatly hinder snow removal efforts and exponentially increase the risks of hypothermia and frostbite for those exposed outdoors for extended periods. When winter arrives with such severity, emergency systems and response services face their greatest challenges of the cold season.