- Oklahoma and North Texas through Arkansas and the Mid-South
- Across the Ohio Valley, including Kentucky, Indiana, and southern Ohio
- Into the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, from Washington, D.C. to New York and Boston
In these regions, WSSI indicates major impacts, meaning dangerous or impossible driving conditions, widespread disruptions to infrastructure, and cascading effects on commerce, emergency services, and public safety.
What “Major Impacts” Actually Means on the Ground
The WSSI is not a snowfall map. It integrates snowfall, ice accretion, wind, ground temperatures, and timing to assess real-world consequences.
Where red shading dominates, residents should expect:
- Hazardous to impossible travel, even on treated roads
- Power outages from ice-loaded lines and wind stress
- Flight cancellations and airport ground stops
- School, court, and government office closures
- Delayed emergency response times in rural and suburban areas
In portions of Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky, the overlap of ice and snow is especially concerning. Ice—more than snow—is the silent disrupter, capable of paralyzing entire regions with relatively modest accumulation.
