Live updates: Dangerous winter storm blasting America with heavy snow and crippling ice

Live updates: Dangerous winter storm blasting America with heavy snow and crippling ice

Snow, freezing rain, and sleet are now slicing across America’s Heartland on a 2,300+ mile journey toward the East Coast. More than 190 million people are under some type of winter weather alert, breaking the record for the most number of U.S. counties simultaneously under a Winter Storm Warning. Stay here throughout the day for the most comprehensive and up-to-the-minute weather news as the storm treks east.

Breaking News

Power outages top 50,000 across the Lone Star State

With extreme winter weather hammering Texas this morning, power outages are increasing at this hour. More than 50,000 energy customers are now without power, according to PowerOutage.com.

Numerous crashes and slideoffs reported in the South

Emergency responders are working multiple crashes and slideoffs across several states right now. The Tennessee Department of Transportation camera along Interstate 24 in Nashville, Tennessee shows crews working an accident with snow piling up quickly.

New York’s Central Park records coldest morning in nearly 3 years

The FOX Forecast Center says the temperature dropped to a low of 9°F in New York City’s Central Park early Saturday, making it the coldest morning at New York City’s official climate site in nearly 3 years. The last time temperatures dipped below 10° in the park was on February 4, 2023.

And it’s not getting much warmer – wind chill temperatures at this hour remain below zero.

Sleet falls in Texarkana, Arkansas as winter storm wallops the South

Drivers in Pennsylvania created long lines for gas

Ice threat looms over Georgia amid massive storm

NEW snow report: 6.8″ in Mayflower, Arkansas

Analysis: snow in Nashville now, full-blown ice storm later

A look at the pictures out of Nashville, Tennessee may have you thinking that things are okay – it’s just snow. But a big change is coming, and it’s not good.

The FOX Forecast Center is analyzing radar data, specifically Correlation Coefficient, which can help meteorologists discern different types of wintry precipitation. Current radar shows the sleet line (circled area on the map) creeping north. Meteorologists say it will continue to push north through the afternoon, and Nashville will see its snow change to sleet and then very quickly freezing rain thereafter.

Tonight, a full-blown ice storm will hit the city. FOX Weather expects up to 3/4″ of ice. That will be crippling on its own, but to fall on 2-4″ of snow is even worse. Tonight’s freezing rain will freeze instantly on the snow and make it even harder to clear. And the weight of that ice will weigh down trees and power lines, leading to widespread power outages.

Breaking News

President Trump approves emergency declarations for Virginia & South Carolina

Snow quickly blanketing Nashville, Tennessee this morning

Snow is racing eastward this morning and now Nashville, Tennessee is getting in on the massive winter storm. The Weatherstem camera at Vanderbilt University shows the snow starting to add up. While it’s mostly snow now, freezing rain and sleet are expected to mix in later.

Extreme temperatures grip the nation’s Heartland

“I can tell you, this is really a once-in-a-lifetime kind of day where it’s this cold.”

– FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel

As if the snow and ice weren’t enough, life-threatening cold air has invaded America’s Heartland. FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel is LIVE in Tulsa, Oklahoma right now where the wind chill is -5°F.

Sleet slamming Arkansas and Texas with 5 inches reported in some towns

Philadelphia airport crews ready to clear the runways

TxDOT: stay off the roads unless it’s an emergency

Texas Division of Emergency Management running 24-hour operations

Heavy freezing rain and sleet slamming Shreveport, Louisiana

The FOX Forecast Center is closely monitoring an area extending from northern Louisiana into southern Arkansas and western Mississippi for intense winter weather. Heavy freezing rain is now falling in this region with some sleet mixing in, too. That freezing rain is triggering treacherous travel conditions along I-20 right now and things will only worsen through the day. That ice is also starting to weigh down trees and power lines, which could create power outages as the day goes on.

Breaking News

17,200+ flights disrupted by historic winter storm

This is not the weekend for air travel. America’s colossal winter storm is wreaking havoc at the airports, triggering thousands of flight delays and cancellations. Since Friday, more than 17,000 U.S. flights have been disrupted. This number includes all flight disruptions through Monday. FlightAware data shows more than 11,000 U.S. flights have been canceled with 6,200+ others delayed.

NEW sleet report: 5″ in Alum Fork, Arkansas

Meteorologist Bayne Froney LIVE in Dallas, Texas where snow is flying

TxDOT: avoid unnecessary travel today

FOX Forecast Center working around the clock to track America’s winter storm

Meteorologists at FOX Weather are working around-the-clock to bring you the most accurate weather news and forecasts. FOX Weather is providing LIVE 24/7 coverage through the storm to help keep you safe and informed.

Extreme Cold Warnings in effect for 43 million Americans

Arctic air has invaded America and millions are feeling the dangerous cold. Extreme Cold Warnings are in effect for 43 million Americans right now, with 136 million under a Cold Weather Advisory.

Boston to get bombed with snow from massive winter storm

Boston is bracing for its biggest snowstorm in years. The FOX Forecast Center is predicting 12-18″ of snow will bury much of Massachusetts through early Monday. Forecasters also say that snow totals could be even higher in some spots.

Up to a foot of snow coming for New York and Philadelphia

FOX Weather’s latest snow forecast is mostly unchanged from Friday. Up to a foot of snow is expected to fall across most of the Northeast. Major cities along Interstate 95 including New York and Philadelphia are expected to see nearly a foot of snow through early Monday. Washington will see slightly less snow due to sleet mixing in with the snow, cutting down on totals. But Boston will bear the brunt of the storm with up to 18″ of snow predicted to accumulate.

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Sleet, freezing rain threat increasing over North Texas

The FOX Forecast Center is monitoring North Texas right now, where an increase in a wintry mix is expected over the coming hours. Sleet is expected to fall with some freezing rain at times, creating dangerous travel conditions throughout the area.

Heavy snow hammering I-40 between Little Rock and Memphis

Conditions are deteriorating quickly across Arkansas as snow slams the region. Radar shows heavy snow now falling along Interstate 40 between Little Rock, Arkansas and Memphis, Tennessee. Farther south, a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet is creeping north, which will further worsen driving conditions.

Vicious blend of harsh winter weather blasting America right now

South Carolina emergency responders coordinating resources ahead of storm

Secretary Sean Duffy: FAA working with airlines throughout the storm

FOX Weather Storm Specialist Mike Seidel LIVE in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Dangerously cold air blasting the Northeast with life-threatening wind chills

Millions of Americans are waking up to frigid temperatures. As if the single-digit air temperatures weren’t enough, stiff winds are making it feel much colder. Wind chills are currently near 0°F in New York and approaching -30°F in Chicago. With wind chills this low, frostbite can occur within just 30 minutes to any exposed skin.

Snow stacking up in Memphis, Tennessee with more on the way

Power outages increasing across Texas

Some Texans are waking up without power this morning. Data from PowerOutage.com shows power outages increasing across Northeast Texas, particularly in Delta, Lamar, and Morris Counties. As of now, more than 29,000 customers are without electricity in the Lone Star State.

NEW snow report: 6″ of snow in Little Rock, Arkansas

The FOX Forecast Center just received a new snow report. 6 inches of snow has been recorded in Little Rock, Arkansas since last night.

Dangerous freezing rain icing Arkansas right now

While snow is falling in some parts of Arkansas, other areas are seeing freezing rain. This is rain that falls to the ground and freezes upon hitting the surface due to freezing temperatures. Texarkana, AR is just one of the places expected to see significant icing this weekend due to the winter storm. That ice can build up quickly and turn roads into an ice rink, weighing down trees, and pulling down power lines.

Thousands waking up without power this morning

FOX Weather is closely monitoring power outages as this massive winter storm sweeps across the nation. Right now, PowerOutage.com reports more than 18,000 energy customers are without power in Texas.

Latest snow totals across Kansas

Where the most snow has fallen so far

America’s massive winter storm is still in its early stages and millions of people will see snow and ice in the next two days.

As of 6 a.m. ET Saturday, Kansas has seen the most snow so far. 6 inches of snow has already been reported near Hays, KS.

Slow slamming Little Rock, AR this morning

More than 4″ of snow has been reported in and around Little Rock, Arkansas this morning. ARDOT cameras show snow-covered roads in the city and throughout central Arkansas.

Airlines forced to cancel 10,000 flights because of massive storm

It’s not a great weekend for those taking to the skies. America’s colossal winter storm has now forced airlines to cancel more than 10,000 U.S. flights through Monday. If you are planning to fly, double check with your airline to see if your flight is scheduled to takeoff as scheduled. Most of the nation’s major air carriers issued travel waivers ahead of the storm, allowing customers to change their flight without paying a change fee.

Analysis: why OKC is waking up to less snow than expected

Oklahomans are waking up to less snow than expected this morning. Radar estimates only a few inches of snow have fallen overnight in the OKC metro area, less than what was predicted.

The FOX Forecast Center explains suppression is to blame. Frigid air moving in at the surface overwhelmed and suppressed the milder, moist air flowing in above it. This essentially cutoff the firehose of moisture from reaching central Oklahoma.

Forecasters caution that people shouldn’t think it’s over. A second round of heavier snow is expected to hit the Sooner State later tonight into early Sunday. And things will be different this time around with a more classic winter storm setup allowing for heftier snow totals.

Flash flood threat increasing near Houston metro area

While millions of Americans are dealing with the threat of snow and ice, the southern end of this massive storm is producing a different threat: flash flooding. Right now, the FOX Forecast Center is closely monitoring a cluster of thunderstorms that has developed near the Houston metro area. These storms are producing very heavy rain as they approach Houston. Some localized flash flooding could occur as these storms drop up to an inch of rain an hour in some spots.

NWS: high-impact, far-reaching storm underway

I-35 turns snowy through Oklahoma City

Snow is covering the ground this morning in Oklahoma City. An image from OKTRAFFIC.ORG shows snow partially covering I-35 at this hour.

70% of flights at DFW airport canceled this weekend

With Dallas Fort Worth International Airport dealing with dangerous freezing rain and sleet this weekend, airlines have been forced to cancel hundreds of flights. The latest data from FlightAware shows more than 70% of DFW’s schedule has been canceled over the next two days.

14,800+ flights disrupted so far across the U.S.

Big travel trouble for weekend fliers – FlightAware reports more than 14,800 U.S. flights have now been disrupted by the storm. That number includes nearly 10,000 canceled flights and 5,000 others that have been delayed.

18K customers now without power in Texas

Overnight snow and ice have triggered power outages in parts of the Lone Star State. As of 4 a.m. CT Saturday, more than 18,000 customers were without power.

Snow and ice charging east right now

An early morning look at radar shows our winter storm ramping up across the Heartland. Snow is falling from Kansas City to Little Rock, with freezing rain and sleet reported near Dallas. Conditions will continue to deteriorate throughout the morning in these areas as snow and ice build up.

Recap of Friday’s live coverage

You can go back and see how the forecast for this winter storm has evolved with our live coverage from Friday.

Click here to see Friday’s minute-by-minute coverage.

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