Arctic Air Threatens Ice, Snow for Texas and U.S. Center

By Brian K. Sullivan - Dec 5, 2013
A blast of arctic air has rolled into the central U.S., mixing with a low-pressure system to fuel a storm that is tying up air traffic and threatening to bring ice and sleet as far south as Texas.

Freezing rain is expected to start falling in North Texas tonight, coating roads, trees and power lines with a layer of ice at least 0.25 inch (0.6 centimeter) thick, according to the National Weather Service. The cold may also boost energy use.

“Ice accumulations will create hazardous travel conditions on area roads, especially on bridges and overpasses,” the weather service said in a winter storm warning for Dallas and Fort Worth. “Ice accumulations may make road surfaces impassable at times through Friday afternoon.”

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Tumbling Temperatures

The frigid air has descended from Canada and is spreading across the western and southern U.S., sending temperatures tumbling. Readings are forecast to average more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit (8.3 Celsius) below normal from today to Dec. 9 and that will lead to increased energy demand, according to Matt Rogers, president of the Commodity Weather Group LLC in Bethesda, Maryland.

“The big picture still favors an impressive December demand level nationally through next week before the pattern starts to gradually moderate,” Rogers wrote in his forecast today.

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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-12-05/snow-falls-by-foot-in-minnesota-as-texas-braces-for-ice.html