The southern states could see rare ice storms and wintry conditions

A massive winter storm will hit the central and eastern United States this weekend and continue into early next week, spreading snow, ice and freezing rain over a 1,500-mile stretch from the Plains to the Atlantic coast.

Meteorologists warn that the storm will bring dangerously cold temperatures as it passes through major cities such as St. Louis, Kansas City, Indianapolis and Philadelphia before leaving behind a blast of arctic air that could see the mercury plummet to record lows in the southern states.

Why it matters

This upcoming storm is expected to be the first widespread winter storm of the season, with potential impacts spanning more than 1,000 miles, making it one of the most significant weather events of the year, according to AccuWeather.

With freezing rain, snow and ice hitting vulnerable areas like the Gulf Coast and the Northeast, the storm could trigger power outages, dangerous travel and conditions rare for some of those regions.

The cold front following the storm could also break records, with temperatures falling to some of the lowest levels seen in years.

What to know

The blizzard is expected to stretch 1,500 miles, from Nebraska to the Ohio Valley and parts of West Virginia. Significant snow accumulations of 3-6 inches are expected for much of this area, with heavier snow of 6-12 inches and locally higher amounts likely in the regions between northern Kansas and southern Ohio, as of AccuWeather.

The storm could bring up to 30 inches of snow to areas of northern Missouri and west-central Illinois. Cities like Topeka, Kansas; St. Louis, Missouri; and Indianapolis, Indiana, are expected to see heavy snowfall.

In addition to snow, a dangerous ice storm is forecast to affect areas south of the snow zone, from Kansas to the Ohio and Tennessee valleys.

Areas such as Kansas City, Missouri; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Springfield, Missouri, could experience significant ice accumulation, creating hazardous driving conditions, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. The region between southeastern Kansas and central Kentucky is most exposed to this heavy ice.

The storm is expected to affect travel over the weekend of Jan. 4 and 5 and into early next week, just before the final days of the holiday break.

As temperatures drop, hazardous travel conditions will continue, especially along major highways like Interstate 70. Airport delays and cancellations are likely, with travel advisories already issued in areas most affected by the storm. Road closures due to snow and ice are also a real possibility, especially in the Plains and parts of the Midwest, according to weather.gov.

As the storm passes, it is expected to leave behind a wave of arctic air, with temperatures potentially dropping to some of the lowest levels this year for southern states.

These cold conditions can affect both infrastructure and daily life, with some areas experiencing the coldest temperatures in over a decade.

This new storm follows closely on the heels of a series of winter weather systems that have already affected parts of the country, including heavy snow and ice in the Rockies and Plains in late December. Those earlier storms served as a precursor to the widespread cold and snow expected to hit next week, which will be the first major cross-country winter event of 2025.

In addition to snow and ice, the storm’s track could spark thunderstorms across parts of the South, especially in the I-10 and I-20 corridors, AccuWeather reports. Some of these storms can reach severe levels, adding to the already complex weather conditions.

What people say

Leading long distance expert Paul Pastelok said via AccuWeather: “This could end up being the coldest January since 2011 for the United States as a whole.”

Long-range meteorologist Alex Duffus said via AccuWeather: “The combination of lingering neutral sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific, warm waters in the North Pacific, and an atmospheric traffic jam will induce several rounds of Arctic air east of the Rockies.

“The pattern creates a persistent southward dip in the jet stream in eastern North America to allow the cold air to drain out of the Arctic and into the central and eastern United States.”

What happens next

As the storm takes shape, residents of the southern United States should stay informed of possible weather warnings and be prepared for sudden drops in temperature. Authorities are advising people to limit travel if possible and ensure they have emergency supplies in case of power outages.

The storm may also be a precursor to a number of other winter storms that may continue to affect the United States in the latter part of January.