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A massive winter storm has swept across the United States, bringing snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Rocky Mountains to the Eastern Seaboard, with more than 200 million Americans expected to face unusually harsh winter conditions in the days ahead.
The sprawling system is forecast to barrel through much of the country, creating “extremely dangerous” conditions. More than a dozen states have declared weather emergencies as heavy snow, freezing rain and bitter Arctic air grip large swathes of the nation.
Travel disruptions have already mounted. More than 3,200 flights within, into or out of the US were cancelled for Saturday, along with over 4,800 for Sunday, according to flight-tracking website FlightAware.
Meteorologists have described the storm as the most intense and expansive of the season so far. “This is a mean storm,” said Jacob Asherman of the US Weather Prediction Center, underscoring the combined threat of heavy snowfall and plunging temperatures across the eastern two-thirds of the country.
Early signs of the storm emerged on Friday across Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, where snow fell as Arctic air surged southward. Forecasters warned that the system’s full impact would unfold over the weekend, stretching from the southern Rockies through New England.
The Weather Service has issued winter storm, ice storm and extreme cold warnings for regions home to more than 200 million people. Snowfall could exceed a foot in parts of the Rockies, Plains, mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with disruptions likely to last for days in some areas.
Forecasters are particularly concerned about “catastrophic” ice accumulations expected along the southern edge of the snow belt. The highest risk areas include the southern Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley and parts of the Southeast, where sleet and freezing rain could blanket large regions.
Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee face the most severe icing threat, with up to an inch of ice forecast — enough to snap trees, bring down power lines and make roads impassable. “That level of ice can cause damage comparable to a hurricane,” Asherman said, warning of widespread power outages and dangerous conditions.
The storm is being fuelled by moisture from both the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, while high pressure spilling out of the Rockies is driving frigid Arctic air and strong winds deep into the central United States.
Wind chill values plunged below minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota. “Exposure to this kind of cold without proper protection can lead to hypothermia very, very quickly,” Asherman warned, noting that even regions accustomed to severe winters are facing unusually dangerous conditions.
Sub-zero temperatures are expected to spread as far south as the lower Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic, potentially shattering long-standing cold records into early next week.
Officials cautioned that ice and extreme cold could severely disrupt travel and utilities, especially in southern states less prepared for prolonged winter weather. “Dallas could see a half-inch of ice,” AccuWeather’s Brandon Buckingham said. “This is going to become treacherous very quickly.”
Meteorologists warned that areas hardest hit by ice should brace for power outages lasting several days, even after the storm weakens early next week. Utility crews across the region remain on high alert as ice-laden trees and power lines pose a continued risk.
The impact on travel has already been severe. By Friday, nearly 5,000 flights were delayed or cancelled nationwide, with major hubs such as Dallas and Chicago among the worst affected. Airlines have urged passengers to closely monitor schedules.
Across the Midwest, schools were closed as wind chills dropped to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, making frostbite possible within minutes. In Chicago, classes were cancelled and church services moved online, while events ranging from carnival parades in Louisiana to performances at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry were postponed or held without audiences.
In Oklahoma City, where up to a foot of snow and a layer of ice were forecast, caf manager Morgan Mayo said staff would try to keep operations running. “We’re going to do our darndest to stay open,” Mayo said, noting that some employees could walk to work despite near-single-digit temperatures.
Texas officials referenced the devastating 2021 ice storm that left millions without power, but said preparations were stronger this time. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) said it expected power generation to meet demand.
Emergency responses have ramped up nationwide. In Washington, DC, where up to 8 inches of snow are forecast, Mayor Muriel Bowser requested Guard assistance. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the sanitation department “the nation’s largest snow-fighting operation” as heavy snowfall looms.
The federal government has placed nearly 30 search-and-rescue teams on standby and pre-positioned more than 7 million meals, 600,000 blankets and 300 generators, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. President Donald Trump said his administration was coordinating the response and that FEMA was “fully prepared.”
Residents across the country rushed to prepare. In Dallas, Maricela Resendiz stocked up on groceries for her family. “Staying in, just being out of the way,” she said.
Shelters and warming centres opened to accommodate those in need. In Detroit, Whittni Slater, who had been sleeping in her car, found refuge at a warming centre. “It was very welcoming, very warm,” she said.
As the storm continues its eastward march, forecasters warned that recovery could be slow, with lingering ice, deep snow and dangerous cold likely to persist long after the system passes.
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Published On:
Jan 24, 2026
