 DISCUSSION: A low pressure system currently off the coast of Georgia is expected to strengthen and move up the east coast over the next few days. The expected impacts of this storm on the northeast are described in the GWCC article here. However, the storm is already having impacts in the southeast where winter weather usually is not experienced. For example, freezing rain and ice were reported on bridges in south Georgia this morning, prompting travel issues, and it snowed briefly in Tallahassee, FL for the first time in 28 years. This storm system is expected to impact essentially the entire eastern seaboard of the U.S. as indicated in the figure above. The figure shows areas under various winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories. Specifically, the pink color indicates winter storm warnings, white indicates winter storm advisories, and blue indicates a winter storm watch. Red indicates regions under a blizzard warning. All of these areas are either currently experiencing freezing rain, sleet, and/or snow (i.e., winter precipitation) or could be soon. Freezing rain leads to a coating of ice that can easily pull down trees and power lines, and the high winds associated with this storm system could also lead to power outages. The continued frigid cold that is expected after passage of this storm system may make power outages especially dangerous. So, if you are in the path of the storm system, it is important to be prepared (e.g., have an emergency kit prepared) in case power is lost and travel isn't immediately possible.
To learn more about other interesting winter weather stories from around the world and to keep up to date on this particular storm system, be sure to click here! ©2017 Meteorologist Dr. Ken Leppert II
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