Most of you would associate the South with an escape from winter's snow and ice.
In Florida or South Texas, that is true virtually ever year. For other parts of the South, snow and ice are much more common than you may think.
Several times each winter, the polar jet stream dislodges arctic air from Canada, Alaska, the North Pole or even Siberia and sends it plunging deep into the South.
At the same time, the southern branch of the jet stream, called the subtropical jet, rides over the southern tier of states, with numerous disturbances in its flow, providing lift in the atmosphere.
The lifting of that jet stream-level moisture, plus any moisture from the lower levels of the atmosphere originating over the Gulf of Mexico, will wring out precipitation. If cold air is in place, at least near the ground, the South can get snow, sleet or freezing rain.
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