ICE STORM: If you live in the South, now is the time to begin preparing for a very serious ice storm! It may bring extended disruption. All three of our main weather models continue to coat much of Texas and the South with hazardous and locally crippling ice totals. WHAT WE KNOW: – This is a Friday through Sunday event. Lots of us will not be going ANYWHERE this weekend. If you're in the ice zone, it's a good idea to be stocked up on groceries and non-perishables by Wednesday. – In the ice zone, maximum ice accretions on the order of 0.5 to 1 inches will be possible. It's too early to determine who gets the jackpot, but ice totals like that are very impactful. Power lines will be yanked down by the weight of the ice, leading to extended power outages. Tree limbs will snap and be weighed down. – An influx of frigid temperatures accompanying the ice storm will increase vulnerability where power outages occur. Please call elderly loved ones/relatives by Thursday morning to ensure they have a plan to remain warm, safe and, if need be, supervised. WHAT WE DON'T KNOW: – Where the snow/ice and ice/rain lines set up. Until we know the exact position of the cold front, we can't determine who gets what type of precipitation. – Will Sunday be impacted? We know Friday into Saturday will be very rough. But will a continued overlap of cold air and moisture lead to ongoing issues Sunday? – Who gets the maximum amount of ice? TBD. There will be a LOT of forecast adjustments in the days ahead. It's still too early to offer specifics. PLEASE take this seriously though. This system has the potential to be a very, very high-impact one that could grind travel to a halt for days.