A massive winter storm is sweeping across a large portion of the United States, bringing heavy snow, dangerous ice, and freezing temperatures from the Southwest to the Northeast. As of January 24, 2026, at least 18 states have declared states of emergency to prepare for the storm’s impacts, which are affecting more than 180 million people.
The storm, stretching from New Mexico to Maine, began developing on Friday afternoon with snow and ice in areas like New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle. By Saturday, the most severe conditions hit the South, with wintry mixes and heavy icing in cities such as Dallas, Oklahoma City, Memphis, and Nashville. Ice accumulation has already caused power outages, tree damage, and hazardous roads in places like southeast Oklahoma, Texarkana, Texas, and parts of Mississippi. Nashville reported several inches of snow by midday Saturday, with wind chills dropping into the single digits.
The storm is moving eastward, with heavy snow expected Sunday from Kansas and the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. NOAA forecasters describe it as an expansive and powerful system, with “swaths of heavy snow” and plowable accumulations of 3 to 6 inches across wide areas. Heavier totals—up to a foot or more—are forecast in parts of the Texas Panhandle to southern Missouri, the Ohio Valley, Appalachians, and New England. New York City could see 8 to 12 inches, while some East Coast areas might get a mix of snow and freezing rain. Ice threats remain high in southern cities like Houston, Atlanta, and Raleigh, potentially leading to impassable roads and widespread power outages.
Travel has been severely disrupted. Flight cancellations have piled up dramatically, with more than 9,000 reported so far this weekend and numbers climbing toward 12,000. Sunday is shaping up as one of the worst days for weather-related cancellations in U.S. history, with over 8,000 flights already scrubbed for that day alone. Major airports like Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte Douglas, and Nashville have seen the biggest impacts. American Airlines canceled 37% of its flights, and about 85% of operations at New York’s LaGuardia Airport were grounded.
Government responses have been swift. At least 18 states—Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia—declared states of emergency, with Washington, D.C., following suit. President Donald Trump approved federal emergency declarations for Virginia and South Carolina, enabling FEMA support. FEMA has prepositioned supplies like meals, water, and generators in locations such as Louisiana.
In the nation’s capital, federal offices in the D.C. area will be closed on Monday, affecting about 279,000 employees. Maximum telework is in place where possible, with weather and safety leave for others. Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger urged residents to prepare with blankets, food, and warmth, and to stay off roads from Saturday evening through Monday morning.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned of “near-blizzard” conditions with winds up to 35 mph and frigid temperatures not seen in about eight years. He described the city’s response as the largest snow-fighting operation in the country, using over 700 salt spreaders and 2,300 plows. Residents were advised to stay indoors, especially Sunday and Monday, when hazardous travel advisories are in effect.
Residents across affected areas have rushed to stock up on supplies, leading to empty grocery shelves and long lines for items like snow shovels and ice melt. Officials warn of life-threatening conditions, including extreme cold, potential power losses from ice-damaged trees, and dangerous driving that could last for days.
People in the storm’s path should monitor local forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for possible outages and prolonged cold. The storm’s full impacts are still unfolding, but it has already proven historic in scale and disruption. Stay safe and warm.