A powerful winter storm is wreaking havoc across the southern United States, impacting more than 80 million people as it continues to dump heavy snow and glaze roads with ice. This severe weather system, which originated in Texas and Oklahoma, has moved eastward, causing widespread disruptions and prompting numerous states to declare states of emergency.

As the storm maintained its grip on the region, heavy snowfall and freezing rain were forecasted for various states, with Arkansas being one of the hardest hit. There, snowfall has reached amounts exceeding one year's worth for some areas, as up to 12 inches were recorded in certain locations. The National Weather Service reported that areas such as Little Rock may have received nearly 10 inches despite averaging only 3.8 inches annually. Across the state line in Tennessee, over 7 inches were reported at Memphis International Airport, leading to school closures for over 100,000 students.

Travel chaos ensued as snow began blanketing the metro Atlanta area, causing hundreds of flight cancellations and delays at the city's airport, which is a major hub for Delta Air Lines. On Friday morning, a Delta flight destined for Minneapolis had to abort takeoff, resulting in minor injuries to four passengers, one of whom required hospitalization. As a result, travelers faced further delays at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and other airports across the Southeast.

The onset of this severe winter storm also brought perilous road conditions across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the *Carolina* states as towns prepared for icy conditions. Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders mobilized the National Guard to assist stranded motorists, while school cancellations affected millions in several southern states stretching from Texas to Georgia.

Warnings of lingering freezing rain extended beyond the immediate storm, affecting utilities in Georgia, where approximately 110,000 customers were without power by Friday night. Georgia Power indicated that additional outages could occur due to falling trees and freezing rain as nighttime temperatures dropped.

Looking forward, forecasts predict additional snow accumulation up to **8 inches** through Saturday in parts of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Despite the hazardous conditions, some children welcomed the snow, with excitement spilling into outdoor activities across Atlanta. A twelve-year-old resident joyfully expressed, “We haven’t had snow since I was like 4 — the good snow, at least. So, I’m really happy,” as she built snow angels in her yard.

Unsurprisingly, part of the ongoing risk stems from the polar vortex, which has been linked to increased instances of these extreme weather phenomena. Meteorological experts suggest that while global warming generally raises temperatures, it paradoxically contributes to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

As authorities urge residents to stay off the roads until conditions improve, civil services and local governments gear up to clear highways and provide support where necessary. The battle against the winter's icy grip is far from over, as the fallout may persist well into the weekend.

For continuous updates and detailed coverage about this winter storm, refer to The Independent and other news outlets as they report on the storm's progression.