Snow, sleet and cold temperatures sweep southern US: NPR

Snow fell across North Texas, including in Plano, Texas, on Thursday as a major winter storm began to move across the southern United States

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

hide caption

change caption

Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Sleet and snow began falling across much of the southern United States Thursday, and more is expected Friday as the second major winter storm sweeps across the country. Winter Storm Cora is expected to bring between four to six inches of snow between Texas and the Carolinas on Sunday. But parts of Arkansas and Tennessee could see up to eight inches.

That’s because cold air that normally hangs around the North Pole and the Arctic usually stays put. But every now and then the cold air descends on the United States. The snowstorm is expected to be the biggest in years.

Andrew Dessler, professor of atmospheric sciences at Texas A&M says there is no consensus in the scientific community “that climate change is making winter storms more frequent or colder.”

The National Weather Service usually begins issuing weather warnings between two and three days before an extreme weather event. Paul Kirkwood, a meteorologist at the agency’s Fort Worth office, says that gives people enough time to stock up on groceries and supplies.

“When you have these kinds of systems with snow and the cold air, it’s trying to stay indoors and not drive as much as the roads become very slippery and dangerous for people,” he says.

Friday night, the storm is expected to hit Atlanta and Virginia, bringing small amounts of ice. Kirkwood says it’s not a big cause for concern at the moment.

“Usually to start having power outages and downed trees,” he says, “you need to see a quarter to a half inch of ice.”

In Dallas, more than 1,200 homeless people found beds through the city’s Office of Homeless Solutions. Schools in Fort Worth, Dallas and Arlington were closed Thursday and Friday because of the weather. More than 1,000 flights in Dallas Fort Worth were also grounded. In Oklahoma City, schools and businesses closed to encourage people to stay at home.

Dessler says extreme cold weather can still strike, even if it’s true the planet is getting warmer.

“When these very cold events hit, you’re shocked because it’s like it hasn’t happened recently, because you’ve forgotten that it used to happen all the time,” he says.

As the cold air blows through the southern United States on Sunday, temperatures will drop into the low 20s, breaking out the layers, wool socks and gloves. They keep you warmer than a heavy coat.