A monstrous winter weather pattern, unofficially dubbed Winter Storm Fern, is currently carving a 2,000-mile path of destruction from the Gulf Coast to the Canadian border. By Saturday morning, the storm had canceled more than 6,000 flights, led 17 states to declare emergencies, and left millions of Americans preparing for long blackouts in sub-zero temperatures.
A "Superstorm" Scale Impact
We are comparing the breadth of this system with the historic 1993 "Superstorm." Spanning from New Mexico to Maine, the storm is providing a triple peril of heavy snow, crippling ice, and life-threatening wind chills.
- The Ice Belt: The most threatening conditions are now centered over the South and Mid-Atlantic. Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, and the Carolinas have ice accumulations of up to an inch.
- The Snow Zone: The Ohio Valley and Northeast may see the heaviest snow; cities such as Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston anticipate up to 12 inches of snow by Sunday evening.
- The Arctic Blast: Behind the precipitation, a polar air mass is driving temperatures to as low as -50°F (-45°C) in the Midwest, with a very-high chance of frostbite within minutes.
Travel Chaos: 6,000+ Flights Scrapped
The world of aviation is reeling as the biggest hubs are falling apart of course. Overall cancellations for the weekend have ballooned beyond 6,000, FlightAware reported. Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Charlotte (CLT) have been among the hardest hit, with nearly half of their Saturday schedules canceled. Major carriers such as Delta, American, and United have given travel waivers, reminding travelers to stay home and rebook for later in the week.
States of Emergency and Infrastructure Risks
Governors in 17 states Texas, New York, Georgia, and Virginia among them have activated the National Guard and opened emergency shelters. The biggest issue for authorities is the electricity grid. Unlike dry snow, that “crippling ice” felt in the South weighs down power lines and breaks tree branches.
FEMA has gotten in high gear, putting some 300 industrial generators and 7 million meals strategically placed in staging sites in Kentucky and Louisiana. Residents are being warned that without electricity it could take days to restore as roads that become impassable with ice-slippery ice take over.
Economic Ripple Effects
The storm is also gripping energy markets. The volume of natural gas futures jumped more than 70% this week as heating demand reaches record highs. At home in some states in the Mid-Atlantic, spot gas prices soared to $100 per million BTUs as utilities race to fill up.
