By Harshit
UNITED STATES — JANUARY 23, 2026, 11:04 PM
A massive and dangerous winter storm is bearing down on the United States, placing nearly two-thirds of the population under threats ranging from crippling ice and heavy snow to life-threatening Arctic cold.
Forecasters say the storm’s footprint will stretch more than 2,000 miles, from Texas to New England, as it tracks east through the weekend. The system is already disrupting travel, straining power infrastructure, and locking much of the country into prolonged subfreezing conditions.
Catastrophic Ice Threat in the South
The most severe impacts are expected across parts of the southern Plains, lower Mississippi Valley and Tennessee Valley, where catastrophic ice accumulation could exceed one inch in some locations.
Meteorologists warn that ice of this magnitude is capable of snapping power lines, collapsing trees and leaving hundreds of thousands without electricity, potentially for several days. Officials caution that the extreme cold arriving behind the storm will make restoration efforts slower and more dangerous.
Communities unaccustomed to prolonged winter weather face heightened risk, as frozen infrastructure, blocked roads and limited heating options compound the danger.
Travel Grinds to a Halt Nationwide
The storm is already triggering a travel nightmare across the country.
More than 4,000 flights scheduled for Sunday have been canceled, making it the worst day for airline disruptions in the past year. Thousands more flights for Saturday have also been grounded, with additional cancellations expected as the storm intensifies.
Road travel across much of the storm’s path is expected to be difficult to impossible, especially where freezing rain creates sheets of ice beneath falling snow.
Transportation officials are urging people to stay off roads unless absolutely necessary.
Record Cold Locks in the Danger
Behind the storm, a powerful Arctic air mass is plunging temperatures far below normal.
More than half of all Americans are expected to experience subzero wind chills in the coming days. In parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, wind chills have already dropped below −50°F, levels at which frostbite can occur within minutes.
The extreme cold will prevent snow and ice from melting, prolonging hazardous conditions and increasing the risk for those who lose power.
States Declare Emergencies, FEMA on Alert
At least 14 states and the District of Columbia have declared weather emergencies as officials prepare for widespread impacts.
President Donald Trump said he has been fully briefed on the storm, confirming that Federal Emergency Management Agency is prepared to respond. Federal, state and local agencies are coordinating to support shelters, protect critical infrastructure and assist communities if outages and rescues escalate.
Cities including Dallas, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Oklahoma City have opened warming centers and urged residents to stock supplies and prepare to shelter in place for several days.
Long Recovery Likely
Even after precipitation ends early next week, officials warn that recovery could be slow. As temperatures eventually rise above freezing, burst pipes, water main breaks and additional infrastructure damage are expected.
Emergency managers stress that the most dangerous period may occur after the storm, when cold-related exposure risks and delayed power restoration coincide.