A major winter storm hit much of the South with snow, ice and rain, causing major flight delays and cancellations. Some areas not used to snow got significant amounts, causing hazardous conditions on roads.

Forecast models are pretty "locked in" regarding storm timing. The weather will be dry east of the mountains until the storm arrives midday Friday. Snow will likely begin sometime between 1 & 4 PM Friday afternoon. Dry arctic air may briefly delay the start of precipitation, but it's expected to overspread the area by Friday afternoon and evening.

Public health officials also advise against consuming large amounts of snow, as it may not meet the standards for safe drinking water. In short, eating snow can be a harmless winter pastime when done with care. However, experts caution that, like all things in nature, snow is not guaranteed to be free of pollutants or other hazards.