It's the winter storm whose impacts could rival what we see during a hurricane. Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain are falling from Texas to Kentucky.
Ultimately, more than 230 million people could be affected by Winter Storm Fern. More than a dozen states issued states of emergency as they prepare to respond to potentially widespread power outages that could last days.
One of the biggest worries is ice accumulation as this storm sweeps through the South.
You can track Winter Storm Fern's movement across the countryhere. We hope that you have your supplies, your devices are charged and you're safe and sound.
Throughout the weekend we'll be bringing you live updates, covering every angle of this storm.
(07:00 a.m. EST) Digging Out Old Batteries?
If you're preparing for power outages and pulling out spare batteries or power banks, there are some safety measures you should consider, especially when it comes to lithium-ion batteries.
Danielle Spalding, lithium battery expert withCirba Solutions, a leading battery recycler, gave us these tips:
Inspect all batteries for signs of swelling/bloating, burn marks, cracks, corrosion, or overheating. These are signs that the battery is damaged and should not be used.
If a battery appears damaged in any way, stop using it immediately. Store it separately, tape the terminals with clear tape, and place it in a clear anti-static bag if possible, until it can be taken to a proper recycling location.
Store all batteries away from areas exposed to strong temperature swings and moisture.
Unplug devices once charged. Overcharging can increase the risk of fire.
Avoid leaving lithium batteries in extreme cold spaces, it could reduce their performance–this includes items like rechargeable power tools.
(06:30 a.m. EST) Where Is Winter Storm Fern Now
From meteorologistJennifer Gray:
The storm is dumping heavy snow from portions of North Texas to Tennessee this morning, while freezing rain and sleet have begun for the Dallas Metroplex and stretching into portions of northern Louisiana.
Four inches of snow have been reported in Little Rock, and much more is to come. Expect conditions to continue to deteriorate through the day, as Fern moves eastward.
You can track the latest watches, warnings and potential impactshere.
(06:10 a.m. EST) First Look At Overnight Snow
As the first flurries of snow arrived in parts of Texas and Arkansas overnight, residents got outside to take a look and document it.
The heaviest snow has been falling in Oklahoma through Arkansas. Freezing rain and sleet is underway in Dallas and will continue through much of the day.
(06:00 a.m. EST) Flight Cancellations Soaring
More than 9,000 flights across the U.S. have been canceled today and tomorrow alone. Most of the cancellations are at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, according toFlightAware.com.
We're also seeing hundreds of cancellations in Charlotte, Nashville, Chicago and Atlanta.
