New Winter Storm Targets Southeast With Snow, Cold and Wind

---

Written by Aaron Studwell, Ph.D., Energy Meteorologist & Analyst for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

---

Summary

Winter Storm Gianna is expected to impact much of the Southeast this weekend, bringing widespread heavy snow, dangerous cold and powerful coastal winds. Significant travel disruptions, power outages and prolonged infrastructure stress are increasingly likely.

---

More Winter Weather on Its Way

A developing Nor'easter, named Winter Storm Gianna, is forecast to impact North Carolina and much of the Southeast this weekend. prompting multiple states to declare a state of emergency. Gianna is expected to organize rapidly along the coast, but inland impacts remain highly sensitive to track and timing.

Winter storm warnings are in effect from southern Virginia, across the Carolinas, extending into northeast Georgia. Heavy snow is expected to start Friday this evening, with widespread accumulations of 5 to 8 inches. Guidance has become more consistent with the potential for 10 to 15 inches across North Carolina's coastal plains. Regions of the Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee may also receive in excess of 10 inches. Rapid deterioration of travel conditions are expected, as temperatures remain in the 20s.

Cold will be a compounding hazard. A cold weather advisory is in effect from early Saturday through early Sunday, followed by an extreme cold watch late Saturday night into Sunday morning. Single-digit wind chills are expected initially, with subzero values possible Sunday morning. These conditions pose a serious risk of frostbite and hypothermia for anyone exposed for extended periods.

While snow and cold dominate inland, Gianna is also expected to produce strong winds. The intensifying Nor'easter may generate storm- to hurricane-force winds over the western Atlantic late Friday through Saturday as the system deepens. The strongest winds are expected east of the Outer Banks, where marine conditions will be extremely dangerous, with rapidly building seas and widespread gale to storm warnings. These winds will not fully translate inland, but gusts of 30--35 miles per hour are expected across parts of the Piedmont and foothills, sufficient to cause blowing snow and reduced visibility.

Impacts are likely to be significant. Heavy, wet snow, combined with gusty winds, raises the risk of downed trees and power lines, leading to power outages. Roads may become impassable, especially Friday night into Saturday, with whiteout conditions possible in heavier snow bands. Prolonged subfreezing temperatures will complicate recovery efforts and extend outage durations.

Travel disruptions, infrastructure stress and dangerous cold will persist into Sunday, even after snowfall tapers, making Winter Storm Gianna a high-impact, multi-hazard event for the region.

Key Takeaways

• Winter Storm Warnings extend from southern Virginia through the Carolinas into northeast Georgia, with 5-8 inches of snow common and localized totals of 10--15 inches possible.
• Rapidly deteriorating travel conditions are expected Friday night into Saturday as temperatures remain in the 20s and snow intensifies.
• Extreme cold follows the storm, with single-digit and potentially subzero wind chills increasing power demand, along with risks to life and limb.
• Storm- to hurricane-force winds offshore and gusts up to 35 mph inland may cause power outages, blowing snow, and prolonged recovery challenges.

---

About IIR News Intelligence
IIR News Intelligence is a trusted source of news for the industrial process and energy markets, powered by Industrial Info Resources' Global Market Intelligence (GMI).

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).