Which states will see snow, ice next? See where winter storm is headed
Editor's Note: Is winter weather headed to your state? Click here for the latest update for Jan. 10.
Another bout of widespread ice and snowfall is forecast to follow close on the heels of a massive winter storm that this week pummeled a large swath of the United States.
The upcoming wintry blast will likely be felt along an 800-mile stretch of the southern U.S. from Texas to the Carolinas. Anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of snow could fall within the stretch, but the biggest threat for many cities may be ice accumulation.
The wintry mix could snarl traffic along its journey east, bringing light snow, sleet and freezing rain or drizzle as far northeast as Virginia and even the Ohio Valley.
Here's a look at weather forecasts for parts of the southern U.S. that may be hit hardest with snow and ice amid the impending winter storm:
Arkansas
In Arkansas, the greatest accumulations are expected over the west-central to central region of the state.
The capital of Little Rock and the surrounding areas are under a winter storm warning and could see anywhere from 6 to 8 inches of snow between Thursday and Friday, the weather service predicts.
Florida
Florida is expected to experience damaging freezes along the central Gulf Coast and the Florida Peninsula between Thursday and Sunday.
If subfreezing temperatures weren’t bad enough, AccuWeather meteorologists say cold rain will hit areas along the Interstate 10 corridor through Jacksonville, including the Florida Panhandle and Tallahassee. While a southern track could provide just the right conditions for a bit of snow, the storm is predicted to bring mainly rain to the state.
Georgia
Freezing rain and resulting ice accumulations are possible later this week across parts of north Georgia, where temperatures could range from 22 to 30 degrees in the Atlanta, Athens, and Augusta areas.
Georgia will largely see little to no impact from the winter storm. However, north Georgia may see some winter weather on Friday going into Saturday, including some snow, icy, and/or sleet on Friday in the metro Atlanta and Athens areas.
Kansas
Areas of southern Kansas could see a light accumulation of snow, no more than two inches, according to the weather service.
Kentucky
Portions of east central, north central, northwest, and south central Kentucky are under a winter storm watch from late Thursday through late Friday night, according to the weather service. Anywhere from 4 to 5 inches of snow are expected to fall, though higher amounts are possible.
Louisiana
The National Weather Service has issued a cold weather advisory for Louisiana.
The upcoming storm could bring snow to northern Louisiana, and some forecasts are calling for snow early Friday morning. Additionally, a freeze warning has been issued by the National Weather Service, and a cold front is expected to cause freezing temperatures.
Missouri
Snow is likely across much of southwest Missouri from Thursday evening into Friday, according to the weather service. Because the snow is likely to develop into bands, "amounts could vary over fairly short distances," the NWS said.
North Carolina
Anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of snow could call across North Carolina through Saturday, according to the NWS.
Oklahoma
While parts of Oklahoma are under a winter storm watch, Oklahoma City itself is only forecast to get a light dusting of snow – as much as an inch, according to the weather service.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, a wintry mix is possible Friday into the night in central portions, including the capital region of Columbia, according to the weather service. That includes freezing rain, which is possible into early Saturday along and northwest of Interstate-20.
Most of the snowfall, anywhere from 1 to 5 inches, is expected north of Columbia, including in Greenville.
Texas
North Texas is under both a winter storm watch and warning along and north of Interstate-20. Snowfall accumulations of 2 to 4 inches will be possible in the warning area, and isolated amounts up to 8 inches within more intense bands north of Dallas and Forth Worth are expected, according to the weather service.
Virginia
Many cities in Virginia are forecast to be hit with as much as 2 inches of snow through Saturday, including the capital of Richmond, the weather service said.
Contributing: Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle; Presley Bo Tyler, Shreveport Times; Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com