Once-in-a-generation winter storm descends on Deep South

[bananas]

Source: NBC News

A brutal winter freeze began to descend on the Deep South early Tuesday with a huge swath of the region in the crosshairs of a storm that forecasters called "potentially paralyzing."

<snip>

Weather Channel meteorologist Nick Wiltgen described it as a "potentially paralyzing winter storm." And the forecaster’s winter weather expert, Tom Niziol, said the South was in for weather "that many parts have not seen in years" — perhaps the biggest winter weather event in a generation.

The nasty weather will reach so far south that Johnson Space Center, in Houston, said it would be closed.

The the biggest snow threat lay in eastern and central Texas, including Houston, and stretched to southeast Virginia. Eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia would have the greatest chance of getting more than six inches of snow, according to The Weather Channel.

The winter storm is traveling south-eastwards and the wintry mix will dip as low as the Florida Panhandle on Tuesday. By Wednesday, it will have started to bend up the East Coast, where it will travel as far north as Providence, Rhode Island, before moving offshore by lunchtime.

<snip>

Read more: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2014/01/27/22466322-once-in-a-generation-winter-storm-descends-on-deep-south?lite

[bananas]

1. Rare and Dangerous Ice Storm Hits Deep South; Extreme Cold in the Midwest

http://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/comment.html?entrynum=2621

Rare and Dangerous Ice Storm Hits Deep South; Extreme Cold in the Midwest
By: Dr. Jeff Masters, 4:04 PM GMT on January 28, 2014 +12

A rare and dangerous ice storm has begun in the Deep South, where Winter Storm Leon is tracking along the northern Gulf Coast, spreading a nasty mix of freezing rain, sleet, cold rain, and snow along a swath from Central Texas to Eastern Virginia. At 8 am CST, freezing rain was falling at a temperature of 28°F in Austin, Texas, where a 20-car pileup on an overpass was reported, as well as at least ten other car crashes in a 30-minute time span. A portion of Interstate 35 was closed due to the crashes and icing. Freezing rain was falling on the north side of Houston, Texas, and in Mobile Alabama, this morning; snow was falling in Jackson Mississippi, and sleet in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The National Weather Service has posted Freezing Rain Advisories along a swath from Eastern Texas across Southern Louisiana, Southern Mississippi, Southern Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, almost all of Georgia and South Carolina, and into Eastern North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. Ice accumulations of 1/4" - 1/2" are expected in much of this area, with isolated higher amounts. Snows of 1 - 4" are possible just to the north of the freezing rain swath, with heavier amounts of 6 - 12" across southeast Virginia and northeast North Carolina. The ice storm has the potential to cause significant damage to trees and power lines, resulting in widespread power outages. Travel will be very dangerous in a region unaccustomed to extreme winter weather.

<snip>

[CoffeeCat]

6. It was -35 here this morning...

…and -40 here yesterday. My kids had half a day of school cancelled because it was too cold for the kids to venture outside. Skin begins to freeze and frostbite sets in after only a few minutes.

It's crazy.

I've NEVER experienced an Iowa winter like this, and I've experienced plenty. I'm used to winter and the snow and I love winter weather. However, this is something else. We have been literally unable to venture outside for many days--because it's too cold. We've experienced plenty of days with -40 degree temps.

We can't walk the dog. And we run to the car, if we need to run errands or take the kids somewhere.

I'm feeling trapped.

[Thor_MN]

19. You must be talking wind chill.

Wind chill only affects exposed skin, to a properly dressed person, wind chill has very little bearing. I'm at least a couple hundred miles north of you and while we hit -20 overnight, it's no where near -40 as a straight temperature.

[CoffeeCat]

21. Yes, wind chill...

…and it does affect the skin, which is why they've called off a few days of school.

It's horrendously AWFUL.

I had to take off my mittens for about 30 seconds to unstick my windshield wiper. The tips of my fingers still hurt. That was two days ago. It's like my finger are burned.

[SharonAnn]

20. I grew up in Waterloo, IA and experienced a few winters like that. Absolute -30+

Windchill -60. Fortunately, they weren't frequent but January of 1970(?) was particularly brutal. I remember that one well because I was out visiting customer sites during that time. Mornings the car wouldn't start, even with head bolt heaters on overnight. Not fun!

[Xipe Totec]

2. That explains my son's cancelled flght nt

[Major Nikon]

3. The snow can stay up North with Sean Hannity

[another_liberal]

4. We've melted most of the polar ice . . .

. . . and the Arctic's weather patterns are coming unstuck.

Did you really think climate change would just mean warmer Summers?

[liberal N proud]

5. That is what the deniers all thought

That one cold spell would mean the end of what they like to call "global warming"

[ronnie624]

24. They're so foolish.

Last edited Wed Jan 29, 2014, 03:38 AM - Edit history (1)

A right winger I know asked yesterday, "Where's my global warming?". That must be common rhetoric among deniers, because I hear it often. I tried explaining to him, that a regional weather event does not negate the fact that the global average temp is rising, and that more heat energy in the atmosphere translates into more kinetic energy, which means more violent storms, including winter storms -- fundamental facts and principles that everyone should know and understand -- but he would have none of it. I have to be gentle with him, because he can get very angry and animated, faced with disagreement. He has no idea how silly he appears.

[uppityperson]

7. What will this do to crops?

[onehandle]

8. I was in Georgia for the 1973 ice storm.

Freezing rain, followed by several inches of wet snow/sleet, followed by freezing rain.

Our power in North Atlanta was out for a week.

[CurtEastPoint]

10. That was my first winter here. It was AWFUL! I had to go to a motel.

[bkanderson76]

12. This 'Once-In-A-Generation' Storm Slamming the Deep South has

Ramifications beyond compare. Them rigid Right-Wingers of zealous intent have no recourse but to put the ol' bible up on the shelf and just hunker down tight with his sister or cousin till the weather breaks.

[AtheistCrusader]

13. Fucking Great.

Now we get to hear a couple YEARS worth of bitching about how 'global warming' isn't real because of one fucking storm. Foxsnooze must be practically shitting themselves with glee.

Wunderbar.

[YOHABLO]

14. ''Once in a generation winter storm"? Oh please .. I'm in GA and have seen worse.

People down south start acting out ridiculously when a little snow, or even ice comes. They have no idea what being snowed-in is all about. Yet, they'll all be at the grocery store buying up bread and milk. It should all be over by late Wednesday into Thursday. Big deal.

[truthisfreedom]

15. Fine if it happens in Minnesota... we're equipped to clear it and used to driving in it.

The highways in the South aren't prepped for snow and ice, and the tires on the cars and the clearing equipment, salt and sand trucks and crews don't exist. It's like asking the shortstop to play catcher with no gear.

[Butterbean]

17. THANK YOU for understanding and stating this.

I grow so weary of people making fun of the south because we "freak out" at a little snow. Yes, we do tend to get our knickers in a knot about flurries, which shouldn't be of concern, but stuff like this IS a concern for exactly the reasons you stated.

If we had the equipment to clear the roads, it wouldn't matter so much. However, we don't, so it does.

[ga_girl]

16. Actually, much closer to once in a decade storm

Doesn't make it less real to those stuck in the traffic though.

[img][/img]

[Phentex]

18. Earlier today, I thought we were prepared...

but apparently they waited too late to close schools and now there's a massive traffic backup everywhere. Some kids are being kept at school, possibly overnight.

[hughee99]

22. A light dusting is a "potentially paralyzing winter storm" in many parts of the south.

Best wishes and good luck to everyone affected.

[24601]

23. Between 75 & 80 today in Tampa. But the front is moving through tonight and tomorrow will

top out at about 60.