- Crews are prepping equipment in many areas and pre-treating roads.
- Southwest Airlines issued a travel advisory for some Midwest airports.
- The storm will bring snow, cold and ice across a large portion of the U.S.
Road crews are preparing interstates, major thoroughfares and airports for travel delays. Meanwhile, shoppers are stocking up on supplies in preparation for a winter storm that could bring snow, wind, and frigid temperatures to a large part of the U.S. this weekend.
Southwest Airlines issued a travel advisory Friday and Saturday in the Midwest. It stated that it will waive any change fees for flights to, through, or from Des Moines, Kansas City and Minneapolis airports.
The Weather Channel named the storm Izzy.
(FORECAST: Winter Storm Izzy Spreads Snow and Ice from the Midwest to South and East to MLK Weekend)
Kansas City’s snowplow map shows crews on many city streets Thursday. Some schools were closed in the region on Thursday and Friday due to COVID-19 issues.
“This swift-moving winter storm, which will be moving southeastward from Dakotas to Ozarks on Friday and Saturday, will bring a quick snowstorm. A narrow zone of 5-10” of snow is expected from the eastern Dakotas to northern Missouri,” meteorologist Jonathan Belles said Thursday evening.
Then, the storm will barrel into Southeast.
Belles stated that this will result in snow for some and snow for others. In parts of Georgia and the Carolinas it could mean rapidly changing conditions from snow and ice to snow and back again. “Saturday, Sunday and Monday will be treacherous for driving in some of those spots. However, the last part of the holiday weekend will bring some drier and more pleasant weather. Be prepared for bad roads and the possibility of losing power between north Georgia and the inland Carolinas.
The Georgia Department of Transportation keeps more than 50,000 tonnes of salt and 46,000 tons of gravel, as well as 407 snow-removal dump trucks.
“Winter weather is forecast in North Georgia and metro Atlanta this Saturday. GDOT is preparing The agency tweeted that it had prepared brine operations, equipment and materials as well as staff to respond to the threat. “We will continue to monitor the conditions as the storm develops.”
Thursday’s GDOT official informed The Weather Channel that residents in affected areas should stay at home and not travel.
Crews were employed in Richmond, Virginia. preppingThursday – Equipment and pretreating interstates, and other major roads
(MORE: Five Things You Need to Know About Snow and Ice in South)
Snow, possibly mixed together with sleet or freezing rain, will also be spreading into the mid-Atlantic States Sunday and then into much of Northeast Sunday night.
One expert warned that the storm could have a negative impact on already stressed U.S. supply chains.
”From an impact perspective, with this kind of weather scenario, all it would take is an accident or two for major Interstate closures to occur,” Francisco Alvarez, lead meteorologist for trucking network Convoy, told in an email Thursday.
Alvarez cited Midwest highways as a major concern, for example
“Basically, if you could make an entire box between Omaha, Sioux Falls and Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Des Moines will be the most dangerous for truckers,” he stated.
All drivers must be aware of the areas where the storms will pass.
These are some driving safety tips and winter storm advice that the South Carolina Department of Emergency Management has issued ahead of the storm.
Avoid unnecessary travel to the affected areas. You must ensure that your vehicle is in a good working order, that your phone is charged, and that you have extra blankets and snacks in case of delays.
-Know how to report a power outage to your utility company. Also, have an alternate, safe way to stay warm.
Wrap pipes that are exposed or take other measures to protect them from freezing. This can cause pipes to burst.
You should have plenty dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace.
Winter is the most active time for house fires. Keep fire extinguishers in your home and teach your family how to use them.
-Ensure proper carbon monoxide safety. Do not use kerosene heaters indoors, do NOT burn charcoal indoors, and keep portable generators outside of windows and doors.
-Keep a stock of batteries.
-Keep domestic and pet animals warm with water and food available.
-Check on anyone who might need extra assistance during winter weather.
Thepany’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story may not reflect the position or IBM as our parent company.
Source: Weather.com
