Cold winter storm ‘Fern’ set to take over United States: All you need to know

Meanwhile, blizzard and whiteout conditions are possible Thursday evening in southern Minnesota and northern Iowa, the weather service warned.

Which Southern states could see snow?

Winter storm watches will begin Friday in parts of more than a dozen states, including New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Iowa, Arkansas, Louisiana, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Forecasters say many of these watches could be upgraded to winter storm warnings as conditions become clearer. A watch means dangerous weather is possible and people should prepare, while a warning means severe conditions are expected and immediate action is needed.

How many people could be affected?

The storm is expected to impact over 30 states and nearly 160 million people, according to forecasters cited by the BBC.

States across the central Plains could see temperatures drop as low as -40°F (-40°C), or even colder. Some areas may experience lows near -50°F. Sub-freezing temperatures could extend all the way to the Gulf Coast.
The National Weather Service warned that these conditions could be life-threatening, especially if snow and ice lead to power outages. The Rocky Mountain states are also expected to receive heavy snowfall by Friday.

Why is this storm so severe?

The storm is being driven by a powerful surge of Arctic air arriving during what is typically the coldest time of the year. The cold front is expected to strengthen in the Southwest on Thursday before moving eastward over the weekend.

Health risks from extreme cold

The National Weather Service warns that Arctic air combined with strong winds can create dangerously low wind chill values. Exposure to these conditions can lead to frostbite or hypothermia within minutes.

Frostbite most commonly affects exposed skin, especially hands, feet, ears, and the face. Hypothermia occurs when the body loses heat faster than it can produce it, causing body temperature to drop to dangerous levels.

Power outages and travel disruptions expected

Heavy snow and ice could trigger widespread power outages, some of which may last for extended periods, according to CNN. Even under less severe scenarios, outages are still likely.

Areas at the highest risk for significant icing and power failures include parts of Texas, the lower Mississippi Valley, the Tennessee Valley, northern Georgia, and sections of the Carolinas and Virginia. Major cities that could be affected include Dallas–Fort Worth, Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis, Little Rock, and Huntsville, Alabama.

Travel is expected to be risky across many major cities, even where ice accumulation is relatively small.

States of emergency declared

Several states have already declared emergencies ahead of the storm.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein issued a state of emergency on Wednesday, urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary. Crews have been treating roads and bridges, but officials warn that impacts could last into next week, reported CNN.

South Carolina has also declared a state of emergency, allowing officials to mobilize resources and activate the National Guard if needed.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott activated emergency response resources earlier this week. Crews are pre-treating roadways, monitoring power and natural gas systems, and preparing to assist stranded motorists as the storm moves in.

Does this storm have a name?

Officially, the storm has not been given a name. However, the Weather Channel uses its own naming system and has labeled this storm Fern.

(With inputs from CNN, BBC, and New York Times)