US weather forecast: Winter storm expected over weekend; Georgia, Virginia declare emergency

The United States is set to experience a severe winter storm that threatens to usher in a cold wave in the deep south before moving up the East Coast, weather forecasters have said.

Much of Arkansas will experience heavy precipitation which is expected to turn into five inches of snow, depending on the location in the state. Snow is also expected throughout Saturday in several southern areas, including southern Missouri, southern Illinois, western Kentucky, eastern Kansas, eastern Oklahoma.

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The winter storm is then expected to move eastwards, towards Georgia and the Carolinas over the weekend and snowfall is expected in Kentucky, Tennessee, parts of Virginia, northern Mississippi, and Alabama.

Further, the winter storm is expected cause severe icing on the roads in Georgia, especially in the Interstate 95, Interstate 85, and Interstate 20 corridors.

In view of the danger posed by the storm, especially to drivers along the aforementioned route, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has declared a state of emergency to ensure nothing untoward happens.

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“By being ready and knowing what to do in the event of winter weather, you can help us minimize risk, reduce the time it takes to recover, and most importantly keep everyone safe,” said Kemp in a press conference on Friday afternoon, while urging Georgians to “plan accordingly” for the storm.

Similarly, Virginia’s outgoing governor, Ralph Northam, also declared a state of emergency in the state on Friday, saying, “We expect this storm to have a significant impact in many parts of Virginia. Declaring a state of emergency now allows our emergency responders to prepare, and to move supplies and equipment where they expect to need them the most. This also gives Governor-elect Youngkin the ability to respond to any storm needs swiftly. I urge Virginians to take this storm seriously and make preparations now.”