Snow will turn into sleet and freezing rain along parts of the Southeast, as well as southern Arkansas, the weather service reported. Forecasters warn that icy conditions, between a tenth and a quarter inch of ice, will make travel dangerous for many. Power outages and downed branches are also a concern.

It is just the start of 2025, but the U.S. is already seeing extreme weather across the country, from the wildfires raging in southern California to the uncharacteristically heavy snow in the Southeast and it seems that the return of La Niña may be responsible for some of it.

The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration announced this week La Niña has arrived. This usually means the northern parts of California and the U.S. see more rainfalls where as Southern California sees less rain.

La Niña conditions are finally present after a prolonged delay, according to the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center. But just what role does this weather event play in New York meteorological conditions?