Snow hits Texas, Oklahoma as eastern US braces for winter storm

WASHINGTON: Heavy snow began falling over northwest Texas and Oklahoma City on Friday as a powerful winter storm moved east across the United States, bringing dangerously cold temperatures, icy roads, and potential power outages to nearly half of the country.

More than 150 million Americans are under weather alerts issued by the National Weather Service. At least 14 states and Washington D.C. have declared states of emergency, mobilizing crews to salt roads, restore power, and respond to storm-related incidents.

Meteorologists say the storm, driven by Arctic air from Canada, will stretch from the southern Rockies to the East Coast and last through early Monday. Officials warned of treacherous ice accumulating on roads, trees, and power lines, with some areas likely to face outages lasting several days.

Oklahoma City could see up to 12 inches of snow and ice before the weekend. Residents were seen rushing indoors to escape the freezing temperatures, which dropped to 8 degrees Fahrenheit on Friday.

Texas officials are monitoring the situation closely, recalling the 2021 ice storm that left more than 2.7 million people without electricity and caused over 200 deaths. The state’s main grid operator, ERCOT, said sufficient power generation is available to meet the demand.

As the storm moves eastward over the weekend, cities including Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh may see ice accumulation, while Washington D.C., Baltimore, New York, and Boston are expected to receive 4 to 8 inches of snow, with some areas in the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic seeing more than a foot.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a snow emergency, with the National Guard providing high-clearance vehicles to ensure first responders can move through affected areas.

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the city’s sanitation workforce will be fully mobilized for snow clearance, though schools will remain open for in-person and remote learning.

Authorities continue to urge residents to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for hazardous conditions as the winter storm sweeps across the country.