A huge winter storm is moving across much of the United States, from Texas through the Mid‑Atlantic and farther north. It is bringing dangerous cold, heavy snow, and thick ice, making travel risky on many roads. Officials warn that wind chills could become life‑threatening in some areas, especially where people are not used to this kind of weather.
Power lines and tree branches can snap when covered in ice, leading to outages in several states. Forecasters say more than 150 million people are under some kind of winter weather alert or warning for cold, snow, or ice. The storm formed as very cold Arctic air met moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
This pattern creates heavy snow to the north and a band of freezing rain and sleet across southern and border states. Experts say past storms like this have closed highways, schools, and businesses in the South for days, so they urge people to stay off the roads when conditions worsen.
States and Federal Government Take Action
Many governors have already announced emergency measures to prepare for the storm and respond more quickly. More than a dozen states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia, have issued emergency declarations or similar orders.
These steps help officials move workers and equipment more quickly, adjust certain rules, and request extra help when needed. Emergency operations centers and state agencies are running storm plans and coordinating with local authorities. People in the storm’s path are buying food, water, and other supplies. Many are checking on older relatives and friends who might struggle with the cold.
Officials are asking drivers to stay home unless a trip is truly necessary. Airlines have canceled more than ten thousand flights, and many more are delayed, as snow and ice affect major airports from Texas to the East Coast. Hundreds of thousands of customers have already lost electricity, especially in Tennessee and nearby states, and utilities are sending repair crews to problem areas as conditions allow.
Long Recovery and Future Preparations
The federal government is also helping states address the storm’s impact. President Donald Trump has approved emergency declarations for twelve states, including South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia. These declarations let the Federal Emergency Management Agency support power restoration, shelters, and cleanup.
Weather alerts and advisories cover well over 150 million people, and more than 170 million lie in the broader storm track. Tens of millions in the South and the lower Midwest now face temperatures at or below freezing, and many buildings and power systems there are not built for such long cold spells. Electric grids in some areas are under strain as ice and wind damage equipment, and local governments report rising costs for road treatment, shelters, and repairs.
Officials are already thinking about recovery after the storm passes, including how to strengthen power grids and improve winter preparedness. As the storm moves east and slowly weakens, forecasters say cold, icy roads and remaining outages will show how well communities can cope. Scientists continue to study how storm patterns and cold outbreaks connect to long‑term climate trends, while emergency crews focus on restoring services and daily routines.
Sources:
- NBC News – Severe weather brings heavy snow and ice across the U.S. – 23 Jan 2026
- USA Today – More than half of US facing winter storm. See the latest maps – 22 Jan 2026
- Reuters – Freezing temps, heavy snow expected for millions of people in central, eastern US – 22 Jan 2026
- PBS NewsHour – See the U.S. winter storm 72-hour snowfall forecast – 23 Jan 2026
- NHK World – Trump approves emergency declarations for 12 states due to winter storm – 25 Jan 2026
- Arkansas Governor’s Office – Sanders Declares Emergency for Severe Winter Weather Expected on or about January 23, 2026 – 21 Jan 2026