Winter Storm Causes Flight Cancellations And Dangerous Roads

CORRECTS NAME OF RESTAURANT - People drink coffee outside of Surefire Coffee Co. after snow fell in the area in Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday, Jan.11, 2025. (AP Photo/Kristin M. Hall)

A winter storm swept through the U.S. South, bringing cold temperatures and wet snow that led to school closures and travel disruptions. As the storm moved out to sea off the East Coast, snow showers were forecasted for the Appalachian Mountains and New England. However, the drop in temperatures after sundown in the South posed a risk of refreezing melted snow, creating icy road conditions.

While major roads were mostly clear, secondary roads were expected to have slush on them, making travel hazardous. Flight cancellations and delays continued to affect major airports, including Atlanta and Charlotte, with about 1,000 flights impacted at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport alone.

In Atlanta, passengers faced long security lines and flight disruptions, with some stranded at the airport overnight. Delta Air Lines worked to stabilize operations and anticipated a resumption of reliable service over the weekend.

Flight cancellations impacted major airports like Atlanta and Charlotte.

Snowstorm led to icy road conditions in the South.

Richmond lifted boil-water advisory after snowstorm-related issues.

Significant snowfall in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

School closures extended from Texas to Georgia.

Rare January wildfires in Los Angeles occurred simultaneously.

Polar vortex brought extreme cold due to changing climate patterns.

Importance of preparedness and caution in severe winter weather highlighted.

Businesses and churches in Nashville worked to reopen despite weather challenges.

Experts noted diverse weather events across the country.

Virginia's capital, Richmond, lifted a boil-water advisory after nearly a week due to a snowstorm that caused power outages and water system malfunctions. The storm also led to electrical outages in Georgia and icy conditions in Atlanta from freezing rain.

The storm brought significant snowfall to parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Businesses and churches in Nashville worked to clear snow and reopen for the weekend, despite the challenges posed by the weather.

School closures extended from Texas to Georgia, with officials in northern Alabama considering keeping schools closed on Monday if ice persists on secondary roads. Some cities received more than a year's worth of snowfall, with reports of up to a foot of snow in Arkansas and significant snow accumulation in other areas.

The storm's impact coincided with rare January wildfires in the Los Angeles area, highlighting the diverse weather events occurring across the country.

Experts noted that the polar vortex, responsible for the extreme cold, occasionally moves southward due to changing climate patterns. The storm's aftermath underscored the importance of preparedness and caution in dealing with severe winter weather conditions.

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