Ice Storm to Threaten Widespread Power Outages

Ice Storm to Threaten Widespread Power Outages Centered on Arkansas
A swath of ice and a wintry mix later this week threatens to slow travel and cut power from parts of Texas to Kentucky. As dangerous cold sweeps southward and eastward over the Plains and Midwest in the wake of a North Central states snowstorm, it will set up a weather pattern favoring a narrow zone of freezing rain, sleet and some snow late this week.

Lethal storm brings flood fears and travel disruption
A lorry driver has died after his vehicle was blown on top of two cars in West Lothian by high winds which have swept across Scotland. Transport Scotland has told people to avoid travelling on the roads and Network Rail has shut down all train services. The rest of the UK is braced as the storm, with 100mph winds, moves south. 

STILL QUIET
The sun's southern hemisphere is peppered with sunspots, but none of them is actively flaring. Solar activity remains low. NOAA forecasters estimate a 25% chance of M-class solar flares and a scant 1% chance of X-flares on Dec. 4th.  

CHANCE OF STORMS:
NOAA forecasters estimate a 25% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on Dec. 2nd when a CME might deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras.