More than 200 million Americans are expected to face an unusually brutal winter storm starting Friday, with heavy snows and freezing rains forecast.
The storm is expected to sweep through much of the United States, leaving extremely dangerous conditions in its wake as it tracks eastwards from the High Plains and Rockies, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.
It warned that the Arctic blast will bring sub-zero temperatures and wind chills, which pose a life-threatening risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin.
US transportation officials, including airport authorities in several major cities, have warned of weekend travel disruption, delays, and cancellations.
What is the storm's predicted path?
The winter storm is forecast to move slowly across the US, blanketing cities including Memphis, Nashville, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York with snow.
Heavy snow is predicted through the Southern Rockies and Plains, into the Mid-Atlantic and reaching the Northeast.
Regions that could see more than a foot of snow stretch from Colorado to West Virginia to Boston.
How are states preparing for the storm?
Governors in several US states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, and South Carolina, have declared states of emergency, allowing emergency officials to begin mobilizing response efforts.
In a press conference on Friday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the state has over 1,600 snow plows and 114,000 tonnes of salt on hand for the storm.
Hochul urged residents to work from home, stock up on groceries and essentials, and be careful when shoveling snow.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott reassured that there is no expectation whatsoever that the state's power grid will fail, as it did during a major storm in 2021.
As of Friday, 16 states were under a state of emergency ahead of the storm, with over 3,200 flights already cancelled for Saturday.
Motorists are advised to avoid travel during the peak of the storm, which is expected to cause significant disruptions and hazardous conditions.
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