The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, expecting heavy snow,
strong winds, and potential power outages. The alert remains in effect from February
16 at 1 p.m. to February 17 at 10 a.m. Areas affected include Northwest Pocahontas,
Southeast Randolph, and Southeast Webster counties, with snowfall predictions between
1 to 11 inches. Several other states, including Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Maine,
and Michigan, are also under warnings. Meteorologists attribute this storm to an
unusually frequent polar vortex, bringing Arctic air far south.
Officials urge residents to stay alert and prepare for hazardous conditions
