Payam Javan: A powerful winter storm is developing across the southern United States, with the National Weather Service forecasting snow, sleet, and freezing rain for Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas starting Wednesday night. Frigid Arctic air has plunged temperatures to subfreezing levels in areas as far south as the Texas-Mexico border, with El Paso reaching 31°F (−0.5°C). Officials are warning of hazardous road conditions as snow transitions to sleet and ice, particularly in regions like Dallas, where up to 3 inches of snow are expected. Preparations are underway to ensure safety for major events, including the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, with road crews on standby to address icy conditions.

The storm follows a polar blast that caused significant disruption across the eastern U.S., leaving nearly 100,000 customers without power Tuesday night and triggering hundreds of car accidents in states like Virginia, Kansas, and Indiana. Freezing temperatures have also extended to Florida and Georgia, threatening agricultural crops such as ferns used in floral arrangements. Meanwhile, flight delays and cancellations continued to pile up, affecting thousands of travelers nationwide. As snow and ice blanket much of the Plains and Midwest, forecasters warn of black ice and refreezing conditions, urging caution as communities brace for more treacherous weather in the coming days.