As emergency alerts urged residents to stay indoors, the storm’s peak brought near whiteout conditions, with drifts piling high along sidewalks and cars buried beneath layers of powder. At night, streetlights glowed through the haze, illuminating swirling snow.
Yet for those who dared to step outside, the blizzard offered a portal into a brief winter wonderland. Laughter echoed throughout areas like Times Square and Washington Square Park as impromptu snowball fights broke out. Adventurous New Yorkers strapped on skis and glided down avenues, while others dropped into untouched snowbanks to make angels, their coats dusted in frost.
For hours, the city that never sleeps froze over, wrapped in white, suspended in winter.
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About 240 million people were under cold weather advisories and winter storm warnings Saturday as a powerful system threatened to bring howling winds, flooding and heavy snow to the East Coast as the region continued to dig out from last week’s frigid winter weather.
Temperatures were plummeting on Saturday, with a low of minus 27 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in West Virginia, said Bob Oravec, the lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.
More than 127,000 homes and businesses, mostly in Mississippi and Tennessee, remain without power after last week’s storm, according to poweroutage.us.
In Nashville, Tennessee, where temperatures were in the teens on Saturday and more than 47,000 are still without power, frustrations bubbled. Terry Miles, 59, said his home has not had power since Sunday. He is using a fish fryer for heat, though he worries about the dangers of carbon monoxide.
“I’m taking a chance of killing myself and killing my wife, because — Why?” Miles said after attending a Nashville Electric Service news conference intended to showcase the utility’s repairs on poles and lines. He then pointed to officials.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said he shared “strong concerns” with the leadership of Nashville Electric Service, adding that residents “need a clear timeline for power restoration, transparency on the number of linemen deployed, and a better understanding of when work will be completed in their neighborhood.” The utility has defended its response, saying the storm that struck last weekend was unprecedented.
This photo provided by Crystal Walk shows Jeeps helping stranded drivers navigate the ice on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, on Interstate 55 in northern Mississippi.
Crystal Walk / AP
More snow in the South
Parts of the southern Appalachians, the Carolinas and Georgia could see 6 to 10 inches of snow, Oravec said. The Carolinas could see blizzard conditions overnight stemming from a bomb cyclone, a term Oravec used to describe an intense, rapidly strengthening storm system off the Southeast coast packing strong winds.
“Anytime you have cold weather advisories or extreme cold warnings, it is dangerous to be outside. Frostbite can occur,” Oravec said. “Especially in areas that have or are experiencing power issues still, prolonged exposure to cold weather is not good for yourself.”
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina — whose official seal is the sun, palm trees and a seagull — 6 inches of snow was expected. The city has no snow removal equipment, and authorities planned to “use what we can find,” Mayor Mark Kruea said.
Subfreezing weather was forecast into February, with heavy snow in the Carolinas, Virginia and northeast Georgia over the weekend, including up to a foot in parts of North Carolina. Snow was also said to be possible from Maryland to Maine.
Tennessee National Guard members Taylor Osteen, left, and Antuwan Powell walk along an ice covered road as they work to remove trees Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
George Walker IV / AP
Grappling with freezing temperatures
Seventy-six people have died from Texas to New Jersey, according to data collected by CBS News. Causes of death included hypothermia or exposure, carbon monoxide poisoning, and accidents like sledding crashes. Officials have not released specific details about some deaths.
Experts warned of the growing risks of hypothermia. Frostbite was also a concern in the South, where some people may lack sufficiently warm clothing, said Dr. David Nestler, an emergency medicine specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Wind chills will plunge well below zero across much of the region, with values near -20 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Ohio Valley on Sunday morning.
In North Carolina, hundreds of National Guard soldiers readied to help and state workers worked to prepare roads.
The city of Wake Forest saw a steady stream of people filling propane tanks Friday at Holding Oil and Gas, including José Rosa, who arrived after striking out at three other places.
“I’m here in this cold weather, and I don’t like it,” Rosa said as he held a 20-pound tank.
In Dare County, home to much of North Carolina’s Outer Banks, residents worried that more unoccupied houses in communities like Rodanthe and Buxton could collapse into the Atlantic Ocean.
The frigid cold is expected to plunge as far south as Florida. For parts of Southern Florida, it will be the coldest air seen in decades. Sunday and Monday are likely to set records.
Dozens of people across multiple states have been confirmed dead after a powerful winter storm swept through large parts of the country, leaving a trail of damage and extreme cold lingering in its wake.
As of Friday, CBS News has confirmed at least 76 deaths directly caused by storm conditions or weather-related accidents, with officials in numerous states reporting about two dozen additional deaths that appear to be related to the winter weather.
Hypothermia from exposure to the cold, car accidents, snowplow accidents, sledding accidents and sudden cardiac emergencies linked to shoveling snow were among the causes of death reported so far. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said 10 people had been found dead in the cold there, though not all of their causes of death had been confirmed yet.
The winter storm swept across two-thirds of the United States over the weekend and into Monday, affecting some 200 million people with a mixture of heavy snow, rain, sleet and freezing temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.
Frigid conditions have persisted through the week, with cold air gripping the eastern half of the country and continuing to drive temperatures far below normal, CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan said.
The weather service warned that this “could be the longest duration of cold in several decades.”
Extreme cold alerts remained in effect through Thursday across parts of the eastern U.S., with wind chills well below zero degrees Fahrenheit and temperatures hovered between 15 and 25 degrees below the average for this time of year. In and around New York City, wind chills ranged from minus-15 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit on Wednesday, CBS New York reported. And another surge of Arctic air was on its way.
Ongoing power outages
Hundreds of thousands of customers remained without power for days after the weekend’s snowstorm. As of Wednesday night, more than 312,000 outages were reported, primarily in southern and southeastern states, according to the tracking site poweroutage.us.
The outages were most widespread in Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, with some outages also reported in Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina and Georgia.
New snowstorm possible
Meteorologists have also warned of another Arctic blast headed southward into the U.S. that was expected to arrive later this week, potentially bringing with it a string of record low temperatures. Pockets of the Northeast should prepare for more snow, as cold air moving across the Great Lakes fuels some downwind snowfall off Lake Erie and Lake Ontario.
Lake effect snow warnings were in effect through Thursday night in portions of upstate and western New York, including in cities such as Buffalo, Syracuse, Watertown and Rochester, which could see 1 to 2 feet of snow or more, according to the National Weather Service.
Massachusetts residents were also bracing for what meteorologists have described as a potential “bomb cyclone” over the upcoming weekend, CBS Boston reported, although the forecast for that possible storm remained uncertain at mid-week. A bomb cyclone is a rapidly strengthening storm system, and meteorologists said this one could bring snow, wind and offshore wave heights similar to a hurricane.
Another winter storm may be headed toward the East Coast this weekend, on the heels of the powerful and deadly system that blanketed huge swaths of the country in snow and ice and killed dozens. The effects of that storm have lingered for many areas in its path and will likely remain as repeated bouts of Arctic air plunge downward from Canada and keep temperatures below freezing.
This could ultimately mark the longest stretch of cold the Eastern and Southeastern U.S. have experienced in decades, according to the National Weather Service.
Alongside the next wave of frigid air is a potential storm brewing off the coast of the Carolinas. Its forecast remained somewhat uncertain, although meteorologists anticipated it would at least affect stretches of the coastline and sections of surrounding mid-Atlantic states. Maps created by CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan illustrate possible forecast outcomes based on the latest weather modeling.
Maps show potential storm track
A coastal low-pressure storm system seemed poised to form off the Carolina coast on Friday, potentially laying the foundation for another winter storm this weekend, the National Weather Service said.
Different forecast models plotted diverging paths for the storm after its expected turn northward, at which point some indicate that the system will veer slightly toward the east, while others suggest its track will tilt westward instead. In the first scenario, the storm — and the snowfall that could accompany it — would largely avoid land. In the second, its westward lean could bring wintry weather, including more snow, to parts of the Northeast.
The low-pressure system expected to develop of the coast of the Carolinas could veer northeastward or northwestward this weekend, with the direction it takes dictating how its effects will be felt farther up the East Coast. The turquoise line in the graphic above represents the European forecast model, while the yellow line represents the U.S. model.
Nikki Nolan/CBS News
Meteorologists have become fairly confident that snowfall will affect southern Mid-Atlantic states, the Carolinas and Southern Appalachia, but the forecast was still variable for places farther up the coast.
“There does remain some uncertainty as to where this storm will track,” said Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. “At this point, though, we have high confidence in a significant winter storm for the Southern Appalachians and southern Mid-Atlantic. Confidence is lower farther up the coast towards New England and is more dependent on the exact storm track.”
Regardless of the track, Santorelli said meteorologists expected “significant” impacts” for a solid portion of the East Coast this weekend, including high winds. That echoed a warning from the National Weather Service in a bulletin Thursday morning, cautioning that the storm “will produce powerful onshore winds along the Mid-Atlantic Coast from the North Carolina Outer Banks northward,” with some gusts strong enough to produce coastal flooding.
The potential track of the storm, based on the European forecating model.
Nikki Nolan/CBS News
Winter storm warnings and watches have been issued for parts of the Carolinas, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Most are set to remain in place until Sunday, although some will be more brief.
In Virginia and the Carolinas, which are expected to feel the brunt of the storm, meteorologists have forecast blizzard conditions bringing “sharply reduced visibilities” and “making travel extremely treacherous. They also predict heavy snowfall in those states, possibly as much as 16 inches in some areas.
Dangerous wind gusts could materialize as well, some of which may approach hurricane force. The National Weather Service forecast office in Newport, North Carolina, warned people in the area to brace for gusts of up to 65 mph.
Coastal parts of the Carolinas, especially North Carolina, are forecast to see the heaviest snowfall.
Nikki Nolan/CBS News
Another Arctic blast
An upcoming surge of Arctic air will keep temperatures below freezing, likely creating a prime environment for snow to stick and potentially pile up on roads and other surfaces.
Temperatures on Friday morning could drop to record lows in a number of eastern cities, including Baltimore, Buffalo, New York City, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
While the western half of the U.S. experiences relative warmth, temperatures across eastern states are set to remain well below average for this time of year. Meteorologists have warned that extreme cold in many areas will persist until early February.
Nikki Nolan/CBS News
At New York’s LaGuardia Airport, forecasts indicated the temperature could sink to 4 degrees Fahrenheit, tying a record set nearly 80 years ago — in 1948. A similar freeze was expected in New Jersey, where the temperature around Newark Airport could fall to 3 degrees, tying an even older record set in 1935. The coldest conditions would likely materialize farther inland, with forecasts showing temperatures dropping to -8 degrees in Pittsburgh and -5 degrees in Buffalo. Each would break record lows for those cities set in 2019.
The addition of the developing storm off the Carolina coast will create severe wind chills well below zero degrees across the eastern U.S. and parts of the South, including areas experiencing ongoing power outages since last weekend.
Severe wind chills are expected to rip through large sections of the country this weekend.
Nikki Nolan/CBS News
A possible “bomb cyclone”
Despite variations in the storm forecasts, meteorologists have been discussing the possibility that a “bomb cyclone” could form if the storm escalates quickly. Nolan said the conditions forecast for this weekend potentially lend themselves to this phenomenon, which is also called “bombogenesis” and involves a winter storm undergoing rapid intensification, but she also emphasized that its development is not guaranteed.
Santorelli said a storm classified as a “bomb cyclone” while traveling up the coast was becoming increasingly plausible, based on the latest forecast models. She added that the storm would be more likely to go through the rapid intensification process if it tracks farther away from the coast “with less interaction with land masses” as it moves northward.
Ripley, Mississippi — A large white generator on a flatbed tow truck was a beacon of hope Thursday for the volunteer fire department in the small northern Mississippi community of Gravestown, which has been without power and running water for five days following an ice storm the likes of which the state hasn’t seen in more than 30 years.
“We’re very grateful for them,” Gravestown Fire Chief Kenny Childs told CBS News of the dozens of generators that have been distributed statewide by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the wake of the storm. “We had no water, no power, no nothing. So, you know, it is great.”
Childs said he’s been informed by the leadership of his local electric company that it will be another seven to 15 days before his community gets power restored, so the generator will be a crucial item for the near future.
“That’s a lot with no power,” Childs said.
A generator provided by FEMA to Gravestown, Mississippi. Jan. 29, 2026.
CBS News
FEMA has sent 90 generators to Mississippi since last weekend’s storm. Subcontractors hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are installing them at critical agencies and businesses, like long-term care facilities, hospitals, water districts and fire departments.
Childs said the generator at his fire house will not only help his team respond to emergencies, but it will also provide a warm shelter for Gravestown residents to come stay and charge their electronic items, such as cell phones.
“It will help the community, and it will help us, it’s wonderful,” Childs said.
Senior electrician Kenny Jones, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been traveling the Southeast for several days to help install the generators in hard-hit areas.
“It’s amazing,” Jones said. “Actually, you see the smile on people’s faces when you actually bring power to them, and they get hot water again and able to take showers. Just a cozy feeling on the inside.”
About an hour south, in Oxford, Mississippi, hundreds of power crews from several neighboring states have arrived to help repair miles of downed power lines the storm left in its wake.
This image taken from a video released by the city of Oxford, Mississippi, shows crews working on power lines on Jan. 27, 2026.
City of Oxford Mississippi via AP
Keith Hayward, CEO of the Northeast Mississippi Power Association, said the ice accumulation was overwhelming, despite an updated, more reinforced system in place.
“We believe we had an inch-and-a-quarter (of) ice over most of our system, which is basically a record for anything around this area,” Hayward said. “We’ve had tree damage that is unbelievable… and by the time the ice loading gets to that kind of loading, with an inch of ice on either side, those poles are holding up nearly 10,000 pounds of extra weight. And, so, you can just imagine when a tree falls and they have that extra weight, what it does to the power systems.”
He added, “We haven’t lost a ton of poles, but we have got a lot of wire on the ground. A lot of tree damage, a lot of vegetation damage. A lot of people have trees on their houses. They can’t get out of their driveways, and it is system wide. We cover 2,200 miles of primary line that we have over about a 75-mile radius, and it was from one side to the other.”
While he believes most customers will get power back on within the next three days, he says it could still be another week for some of his more rural customers.
“It is very, very, disheartening for me… I grew up in this community. I’ve lived here my entire life,” Hayward said. “I feel for them, they have to go through these conditions and, you know, the loss that they’re suffering, not only from not having power, but the damage that they’ve had on their homes and things.”
For Oxford residents like Jerrica Pryor, a teacher at a local middle school, relief can’t come soon enough. With no power and no running water, she has been living off snack food, and spending time in her car to warm up periodically.
She uses a small space heater sparingly to warm up at night.
“It has been difficult,” Pryor said. “Lots of blankets, lots and lots of blankets.”
With tears in her eyes, she said she was most worried about her students and how they’re faring in the dark and cold.
“I do miss them, I just hope they’re well,” she said. “It hurts a little bit, because they are on a different side, and I’m able to stay warm, and I just hope they are as well.”
Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill said the city is doing everything possible to restore basic services to residents. She likened the storm to something more like a tornado.
Due to a water pressure issue, the city had to turn off water supplies to several neighborhoods to ensure the city’s hospital had enough water to care for patients. Tannehill believes the water pressure issue may have been caused by burst pipes that froze during the storm, or by heightened water demands from so many residents dripping pipes to prevent them from freezing and breaking.
Lafayette County Emergency Management has set up several new ready-to-eat meal and water distribution sites for residents in dire straights. The National Guard arrived in Oxford on Wednesday to help deliver those supplies to people in need.
Lafayette County, which includes the city of Oxford, has set a distribution limit of three days’ worth of supplies per person “to help ensure supplies reach as many residents as possible,” Lafayette County spokesperson Bo Moore said.
As of Thursday evening, Moore said nearly half of Lafayette County was still without power.
A National Guard helicopter in Lafayette County, Mississippi. January 2026.
Bo Moore/Lafayette County
Moore also told CBS News the county is using the National Guard’s helicopter for medical transports to Memphis, Tennessee, because the roads are still too hazardous for ambulances to drive through safely.
“It’s going to be a long road to recovery,” Tannehill responded when asked when things may get back to normal. “It’s hard to even get our minds to that right now when we still have people without power and without water.”
Death toll grows after deadly storms sweep through the U.S. – CBS News
Watch CBS News
The death toll is rising after severe winter storms swept through the U.S., leading to widespread power outages over the weekend. CBS News’ Jason Allen has more.
Mountain cedar trees will unleash clouds of pollen through mid-February.
Courtesy/Texas A&M Forest Service
One benefit of a major winter storm in Texas: Allergy relief.
North Texans who have been battling “cedar fever” from juniper pollen since early January will be happy to know that pollen counts have nosedived since the winter storm moved across much of Texas Friday.
We’ve gone from extremely high pollen counts into mid-January, when cedar fever season usually peaks, to hardly nothing this weekend. The much-needed rain we had on Friday before the ice also helped to wash away dust and pollen that’s been lingering on the ground.
Pollen counts in Fort Worth from Pollen.com. Pollen.com
Things look good for the next five days, too, as pollen counts will remain “low-medium,” according to Pollen.com.
Cedar fever season begins in December when nearly 9 million acres of Ashe juniper, aka mountain cedar, predominantly in the Texas Hill Country, start releasing trillions of pollen that blows northward into North Texas. Millions of Texans suffer from allergic reactions.
Despite its name, cedar fever isn’t a true fever at all. The “fever” part comes from how the allergic reaction can make you feel: tired, inflamed, and slightly warm.
We’re on the tail end of juniper pollen season, as it usually tapers off by Valentine’s Day.
What are the symptoms of cedar fever?
Cedar fever can mimic a cold or even the flu, which is why many Texans confuse the two. According to the Cleveland Clinic common symptoms include:
Runny or stuffy nose
Sneezing and coughing
Itchy, watery eyes
Sore or scratchy throat
Fatigue or mild fever
Partial loss of smell or taste
One key difference: if your mucus is clear, it’s likely allergies. If it’s colored or cloudy, you may be dealing with a cold or infection instead.
How can I treat cedar fever?
The best treatment depends on how sensitive you are to cedar pollen.
Most people find relief with over-the-counter antihistamines like Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra, or nasal sprays such as Flonase. For severe allergies, doctors may recommend prescription medication or allergy shots.
Tiffani is a service journalism reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She is part of a team of local journalists who answer reader questions about life in North Texas. Tiffani mainly writes about Texas laws and health news.
CHICAGO (WLS) — A massive winter storm sweeping across the U.S. brought several inches of snow to the Chicago area on Sunday.
The winter weather has caused hundreds of flight cancellations and delays at Chicago airports and led to school districts across the area announcing closures for Monday.
Sunday has the highest number of flight cancellations nationwide in a single day since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. While all major airlines are offering travel waivers, the disruption across the board is huge.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for Cook County until 6 p.m. Sunday, Lake County, Indiana until 8 p.m. Sunday, Porter County, Indiana until midnight Monday and LaPorte County, Indiana until 9 a.m. Monday.
A Winter Weather Advisory went into effect for much of the area on Saturday night. DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kankakee, Kendall, LaSalle, Lake (Ill.) and Livingston counties will be under the advisory until 6 p.m. Sunday. Newton and Jasper counties will be under the advisory until 9 p.m. Sunday. Lake (Ind.) and Porter counties will be under the advisory until midnight Monday.
The Chicago weather forecast Sunday had a Winter Storm Warning and over 10 inches of snow in some areas. Many O’Hare and Midway flights were canceled.
The lake effect will not start to ramp up in northwest Indiana until around 8 p.m., so there will be a bit of a lull as the spray of snowfall migrates there.
Cook County was expected to get another inch or so of snow between 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m., with Porter County looking at another 2 to 3 inches between about 8 p.m. Sunday and midnight Monday.
Chicago airport flight cancellations and delays as of 3 p.m. Sunday: – O’Hare: 626 cancellations, delays averaging 21 minutes – Midway: 111 cancellations, delays averaging less than 15 minutes
The inside of O’Hare Terminal 1 sat nearly empty Sunday, with more than 600 flights canceled leading some stranded passengers to give up on flying altogether as a means to get home.
“My flight has been canceled twice so far, but I made it here from international, so I’m probably driving to Columbus,” traveler Abel Girma said. “I don’t want to wait another two days.”
Several inches of snow hit the Chicago area Sunday, causing hundreds of flight delays and cancellations at airports.
Charlotte, Atlanta and New York were among the cities with the hardest hit airports nationwide. La Guardia canceled 91% of their scheduled flights. Some major hubs were spending more than $30,000 an hour to keep runways plowed.
“Flight was fine. It wasn’t delayed until we go here,” Chicago traveler Miranda Vordermark said. “Then we sat on the tarmac for about an hour, I think because the snow.”
“We were supposed to leave Hartford on Monday, but supposedly they’re getting 10-15 inches, so we said we said we have to get out of here,” said Rich Smith, who was traveling to Denver.
On Saturday, a one-hour, non weather-related delay led Rich and Jill Smith to miss their connecting flight to Denver. So, they tried again Sunday.
“We were lucky we ended up on the same flight as my sister and brother-in-law and we just said, ‘Okay we’ll go over to your house,’” Smith said. “We had pizza last night and a beer.”
Fortunately for them and others heading west, most of those flights were still at least getting out if not on schedule. That was good new for one happy couple.
“We going to Vegas to get married,” traveler Tyler Powers said. “Finally tying the knot after a couple of years. I’m really happy and excited, and excited to get away from this storm.”
And it doesn’t end Sunday. Already nearly 2,000 flights have been canceled for Monday, and airlines haved moved to reposition aircraft and crews.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also warned about airport closures. The agency says they will be working with airlines and airports on recovery efforts including snow removal and deicing planes.
Video shows a semi jackknifed on the Dan Ryan near Calumet City on early Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.
Saturday night and early Sunday morning, slick roads covered the area as snow plows worked to keep up with the accumulating snow.
Chicago Public Schools confirmed it would be open with regular hours on Monday, will many other school districts will be cancelling classes or moving to remote learning.
Monday will mark 59 years since the record-breaking 1967 Chicago blizzard, which brought 23 inches of snow. ABC7 AccuWeather meteorologists say just days before the storm, it was about 60 degrees in the area.
Nearly 60 years ago Chicago saw the most snow fall ever.
Click here for tips about keeping yourself, others and your pets safe, as well as how to protect your homes and vehicles, in the extreme cold.
IDOT spokesperson Maria Castaneda joined ABC7 on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026.
Sunday’s winter storm has dumped inches of snow throughout the D.C. region and late morning has seen a change to sleet and freezing rain.
January 26, 2026 | Maryland Gov. Wes Moore speaks with WTOP about the state’s snow clearing crews
As the D.C. region faces off against continuing sleet — on top of inches’ worth of snowfall — the governors of both Maryland and Virginia spoke with WTOP to discuss their state’s storm responses.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore joined WTOP’s Ian Crawford Sunday morning to talk about how state crews are keeping up with the constant snowfall.
“This is still a very dangerous storm,” Moore said. “But I’m really proud of the work that our first responders are doing all around the state.”
Moore also talked about federal assistance for the state, how his military experience helped prepare him to help others during significant weather events and the state’s ability to provide non-snow services when the storm moves on.
Spanberger says emergency room visits increase during winter storm
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger told WTOP’s John Aaron that the state is seeing an increase in emergency room visits due to hypothermia and cold exposure, as well as carbon monoxide exposure.
The latter is “concerning,” as more people attempt to use their generators at home to stay warm.
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger joins WTOP to discuss the snowstorm response and the increase in emergency room visits the state is recording.
“The fumes are deadly,” Spanberger said. “People should know that. Generators should be used outside and always, always know that you should never use gas or charcoal grills or camping stoves inside homes, inside basements, inside garages or near windows.”
The Virginia Department of Transportation reports a decrease in vehicles on the roads during Sunday’s storm, Spanberger said, which will be crucial as the Commonwealth prepares to see more fridge temperatures that may cause power outages.
“Please everybody, stay off the road, stay warm and do not use a generator indoors,” she said.
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More than 11,000 U.S. flights have been canceled for Saturday and Sunday as a massive storm moves across the United States. It is forecast to bring dangerous winter weather, including snow, ice and frigid temperatures throughout the weekend into Monday.
Forecasters have warned of heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England, along with dangerous wind chills. Over 200 million people are under winter storm threats.
States of emergency declared, National Guards activated
At least 17 states and Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency, which allow for the activation of emergency response programs and state assistance for operations.
Nine states have activated their National Guards.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a statement urging Americans to stay off the roads over the next two days. Some federal offices have already announced closures for Monday.
On Saturday, the Texas Department of Transportation posted images of highways covered in snow in the suburbs north of Dallas, after ice and sleet hit northern Texas overnight. Ice was also covering roads and bridges in parts of Mississippi, according to Scott Simmons, a spokesman for Mississippi’s emergency management agency.
In Arkansas, Little Rock was covered with snow and sleet on Saturday.
A person walks in the snow on Jan. 24, 2026 in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Will Newton/Getty Images
Pictures also showed snow covering Nashville.
Snow falls downtown in the lower Broadway area on Jan. 24, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Brett Carlsen/Getty Images
Flight delays and cancellations
Flight tracking site FlightAware reported over 3,600 cancellations affecting flights in or out of the U.S. for Saturday. More than 1,900 delays have been recorded.
Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport has canceled most of its scheduled flights. Nashville International Airport has canceled more than half.
Cancellations for Sunday soared to more than 7,900 — the most cancellations in a single day since the start of the COVID pandemic in March 2020.
Southwest Airlines dispatcher Emily Estapa told “CBS Saturday Morning” that airlines are working to prevent any unnecessary travel to airports. Many airlines have put travel waiver programs in place that allow fliers to reschedule their trips at no cost.
“We have to take into consideration not only our passengers, but our crews, our folks that are out at the station,” Estapa said.
The effects of the storm may last for days. Frigid temperatures are expected to follow the ice and snow. Gus Hudson, the senior deputy general manager for operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the world, said the facility’s winter storm team is already treating runways and taxiways.
“Things may be slower, but we think we will still be able to maintain our operations,” Hudson said. “They will just be at a slower pace.”
Power outages
As midday Saturday, outage tracking site PowerOutage.com reported more than 54,000 outages in Texas. More than 11,000 were reported in both New Mexico and Louisiana.
Officials are particularly concerned about power outages. Ice is heavier than snow, and its weight on power lines may lead to widespread outages. In at least 11 Southern states, the majority of homes are heated by electricity, raising the possibility of dangerously cold conditions during an outage.
Chris Johnson, the assistant director of operations and field services at Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, told CBS News that his “biggest concern” is power outages followed by frigid temperatures. More than 200 people died when a 2021 ice storm in Texas knocked out power for days.
“When you have that extreme cold following power outages, you know, there’s vulnerable populations,” Johnson said. “The impacts that that creates is the concern.”
If an outage occurs, propane heaters or generators should not be used inside the home because of their dangerous fumes. Texas officials said some of the deaths in the 2021 ice storm were due to carbon monoxide poisoning as people sought warmth from cars and outdoor grills.
As much of the United States prepares for a winter storm that is forecast to dump well above 12 inches of snow in some places this weekend, many are wondering: How much snow are we actually getting?
The slow-moving system will bring heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain to states spanning from the Southern Rockies to New England through Monday, the National Weather Service says.
The weather service has issued winter storm watches and warnings spanning more than 2,000 miles, and at least 17 states and Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency.
Winter storm snow forecast
This map from CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan shows forecast snow totals for states nationwide, with some states possibly seeing up to two feet of snow in some areas.
This map on Jan. 24, 2026, shows forecast snow totals through Monday.
CBS News/Nikki Nolan
Texas and Southern Plains winter storm forecast
Oklahoma City could get between 18 and 22 inches of snow, while Tulsa is forecast to get between 18 and 20 inches. Amarillo, Texas, could see between 12 and 14 inches, while Little Rock, Arkansas, could see up to 12 inches. In the Dallas area, ice and sleet are the main concern, but there could also be a couple of inches of snow.
Local snowfall totals in the forecast for the winter storm in the Southern Plains.
CBS News
Ice is a major concern across the Southern Plains and Southeast, with parts of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee possibly seeing 0.75 inches of ice or more.
This map on Jan. 24, 226 shows forecast ice totals through Monday.
CBS News/Nikki Nolan
Ohio Valley winter storm forecast
Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis are forecast to see up to 12 inches of snow, while Louisville, Kentucky, could see as many as 22 inches. Pittsburgh could get a foot of snow or more. The forecast for St. Louis ranges from 7 to 14 inches of snow.
Local snowfall totals in the forecast for the winter storm in the Ohio Valley.
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Northeast and Mid-Atlantic winter storm forecast
The Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia areas are forecast to get between 10 and 14 inches of snow. The Boston area could get between 12 and 18 inches of snow, while New York City is forecast to see between 10 and 18 inches.
Local snowfall totals in the forecast for the winter storm in the Northeast.
More than 200 million Americans brace for powerful winter storm – CBS News
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More than 200 million people in 35 states are bracing for heavy snow, ice and bitter cold temperatures ahead of a powerful winter storm. Jason Allen, Kris Van Cleave and Ash-har Quraishi have more. Lonnie Quinn has the forecast.
D.C.’s Department of Public Works and Maryland are preparing plows, salt trucks, and even the National Guard ahead of a massive winter storm this weekend packing lots of snow.
D.C. is preparing for a hefty dose of snow this weekend.
A major winter storm is lining up for the D.C. region, with snow likely breaking out late Saturday and intensifying overnight. To prepare, the National Weather Service issued a winter storm watch through Monday.
Forecast models show a high chance of at least five inches, with double-digit totals possible in spots.
By Sunday, sleet and freezing rain could mix in — especially south of Route 50 and near I-95. Bitter cold follows, with dangerous wind chills into early next week. Travel impacts could linger into Monday morning.
“We’re looking to get more snow than we’ve got in the previous years,” said Warnique West, D.C.’s “Snow Queen” and director of snow operations for the Department of Public Works.
“Right now we’re prepping all of our equipment, making sure that it’s ready. We have notified our staff that we’re going to be here for maybe a few days at a time,” West said.
She’s following weather forecasts and projections for the incoming storm. Starting Thursday night, salt trucks will begin pretreating roadways in the District to help the snow melt once it starts falling. The Department of Public Works called it an “all hands on deck” situation, with approximately 200 city trucks augmented and some 100 contractors providing assistance.
She said the public can help her crews as they work to make the streets safe.
“When you see the plows coming, stay at least 100 feet back,” West said.
If the event becomes a snow emergency, no parking will be allowed on established emergency routes, and cars on those routes will be towed. West urged everyone to cooperate with city crews and move their cars out of the way.
She also asked for patience in terms of other services the Department of Public Works provides.
“We’re trying to do the best we can to not just get the streets cleared but see what we can do as far as getting some salt into the alleys, but crews still have to be safe trying to navigate these icy conditions,” she said. “So, if you could just have patience with us, we’re trying to pick up your trash, recycling and compost.”
D.C.’s neighbors in Maryland are also wasting no time getting ready.
Ahead of the storm, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has declared a state of preparedness, which enhances the state’s ability to respond quickly to the hazards that heavy snow and ice could bring.
“I am directing the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate the comprehensive preparation of State government ahead of potential impacts related to the incoming weather system,” Moore said in a news release.
According to Moore’s office, the Maryland National Guard is preparing personnel and specialized vehicles across the state for a rapid response. Personnel and vehicles will be prepositioned in Western Maryland, Central Maryland and on the Eastern Shore, according to the governor’s office.
FORECAST
THURSDAY Partly cloudy, breezy Highs:48-55 Winds: West 5-15, Gusts 25 mph Milder afternoon highs in the 50s will be a welcome change after our recent cold snap. This will be a good day to prepare for the possible snowstorm heading our way for the upcoming weekend.
THURSDAY NIGHT Partly cloudy Lows: near 30 Winds: Calm Winds will ease overnight under partly cloudy skies with temps just around 30.
FRIDAY Partly cloudy Highs:38-43 Winds: South 5-10 mph The last day of the week with near normal temperatures, an Arctic cold front looks to move through the region during the weekend.
SATURDAY Cloudy, late evening snow Highs: near 20 Winds: North 5-10 mph As of now, Saturday daytime looks dry but very cold, with highs around 20 degrees. That should give time to wrap up any pre-storm prep or last-minute shopping. The first flakes may show up Saturday evening, then snow becomes steadier and heavier overnight. If you’re heading out, travel conditions could go downhill pretty quickly.
SUNDAY Snow, moderate to heavy at times Highs: 20s Winds: North 5-10 mph A significant winter storm is expected to bring measurable snow to much of the D.C. region, and it’s going to stay cold with highs in the 20s.
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A significant winter storm event is shaping up to begin in the southern Plains on Friday and move across the South and into the East Coast over the upcoming weekend. Heavy snow, thick ice and brutal cold are expected to make the storm a potentially life-threatening weather event for nearly 30 states.
Maps show what to expect from the winter storm
A low-pressure system is forecast to develop in the Southwest and interact with incoming Gulf moisture and Arctic cold air to begin dropping precipitation on Friday in the southern Plains.
A map shows where freezing rain, rain, sleet and snow are forecast to fall during a winter storm Jan. 23, 2026.
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The system is expected to slowly move eastward, bringing snow and accumulating ice. Forecast models continue to change as the event nears, but it is set to impact more than half of the U.S.
A map shows what places may see snow and ice from a winter storm that’s forecast to start Jan. 23, 2026.
CBS News
Meanwhile, the polar vortex that is usually situated over the North Pole is forecast to dip down into the eastern half of the U.S. starting Thursday and lasting through the first half of next week.
This will make temperatures drop well below average for this time of year and even bring record-breaking temperatures to some locations. Frostbite can occur in as little as 5-10 minutes if exposed to this dangerous cold. Wind chill temperatures are forecast to feel like 40-50 degrees below zero in some places across the northern U.S.
Ice is expected to accumulate along the southern side of the storm’s track, but considering its slow movement, the amount of accumulation is expected to be between two-tenths of an inch to up to half an inch. Impacts of this magnitude can bring down power lines. With the harsh cold in place, power outages can lead to lack of indoor heating, crippling communities.
A map shows what areas are forecast to see ice during a winter storm that’s expected to start Jan. 23, 2026.
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Possible snowfall amounts are fluctuating as the forecast models continue to come together. Up to 5-10 inches of snowfall is already expected across the southern Plains as the system takes shape over the region on Friday into Saturday.
A map shows where freezing rain, rain, sleet and snow are forecast to fall during a winter storm Jan. 24, 2026.
CBS News
As this system moves east, snowfall amounts will vary depending on location.
A map shows where there’s potential for snow during a winter storm that’s expected to start Jan. 23, 2026.
CBS News
Winter storm may impact travel plans
Travel impacts are also possible on roadways and at the airports. Some airports in the South do not have deicing equipment for aircraft to take off safely, possibly leading to widespread cancellations and delays over the weekend.
Some airports that could see issues are Dallas Fort Worth International Airport; Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City; Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis International Airport and Nashville International Airport in Tennessee; and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
A map shows what areas are forecast to see freezing rain, rain, sleet and snow during a winter storm Jan. 25, 2026.
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The roads could also become very difficult to navigate if not impossible with slick conditions on major interstates such as I-10, I-20, I-30, I-35, I-40, I-44, I-49 and I-55.
Travel on the roads is highly discouraged through the weekend, but if it’s absolutely necessary, people are advised to drive with caution. Officials urge drivers to consider taking a winter storm kit with them, including such items as booster cables, a flashlight, a shovel, blankets and extra clothing as well as water, a first aid kit and anything else that would help survive being stranded.
Heading into the first weekend of the new year, it is a busy night on the roads and at the airports as holiday travelers make their way home. Several days of heavy snow have made a mess in parts of central New York, while coastal flooding left roads underwater in the San Francisco Bay Area. Skyler Henry reports, and Lonnie Quinn has the forecast.
Extreme weather grips U.S. as the new year begins – CBS News
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Heavy snow and a rare thundersnow hit the Northeast as flooding rain soaks parts of California and a deep freeze reaches the South. Carter Evans and John Elliot have more.
The storm that hit the Northeast this weekend dropped up to a foot of snow in some areas. New York City saw its highest level of snowfall in nearly four years, and the region’s three major airports experienced significant delays and disruptions. Ali Bauman has more on the storm’s impact, and CBS News meteorologist Andrew Kozak has the latest forecast.
Roads have been a mess across Northern California as a storm moved through the region on Christmas.
The main front of the system started passing through the region very early Wednesday morning, while another wave began early Thursday.
Areas with poor drainage and backed-up storm drains saw some localized flooding across the Sacramento Valley.
Chain controls have been in effect on both Highway 50 and Interstate 80 in the Sierra since Wednesday and remain up as of Friday morning. Drivers were urged to avoid traveling up the mountain for the time being.
Traffic on I-80 over the Donner Summit was held multiple times throughout the week due to spinouts and crashes. Highway 50 at Echo Summit was temporarily closed Friday afternoon.
Highway 267 near Northstar Resort was closed for a time on Friday due to spinouts.
So far this week, the Sierra has seen 4-8 feet of snow, while the valley and lower foothills have picked up 1.5-5 inches of rain. Another round of showers, thunderstorms and snow was expected Friday before a dry weekend.
“If you’re going to travel this way, please head with caution,” said CHP Officer Chris Patton.
Despite the warnings, many drivers continue through the Sierra as holiday travel peaks. Some were headed to nearby destinations like Reno and Truckee, while others were making their way to ski resorts.
As the snow fell, drivers described a mix of frustration and holiday spirit.
“It’s coming down, it’s Christmas, a little wonderland going on,” said one traveler headed to Reno.
However, the storm has also created unexpected challenges. One driver traveling to Truckee said charging issues with their electric vehicle forced them to reconsider their plans mid-drive.
“When I left Auburn, Tesla said I could charge in Cisco or get up to Truckee,” the driver said. “As I was coming here, it said my destination is no longer operable.”
A winter storm warning is in effect until 10 p.m. Friday with heavy snow expected above 4,500 feet and wind gusts up to 60 mph.
“Make sure you know what’s going to be happening when you come up here,” Officer Patton said. “Long wait times. You’re probably going to be in extreme weather conditions.”
A winter storm packing ice and snow arrives Friday across the Great Lakes and the Northeast and is forecast to linger into Saturday.
Ice, sleet and freezing rain will make for slick roads in parts of the Upper Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic, while significant amounts of snow will accumulate across parts of New York — potentially the most snowfall New York City has seen in years.
Map shows winter storm warnings
Millions of Americans live in areas under winter weather advisories stretching from northern Minnesota to the Eastern Seaboard.
Map shows areas under winter weather advisories and winter storm watches and warnings through Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025.
CBS News
Winter storm warnings are in effect from Friday afternoon through midday Saturday for New York City and surrounding areas, including northern New Jersey, most of Long Island, the Hudson Valley and western Connecticut.
An ice storm warning is in effect through Saturday morning in the central Pennsylvania counties of Somerset, Westmoreland (ridges), Indiana, Armstrong, Clarion, Jefferson, Forest and Venango.
Map shows forecast for ice conditions
Ice is the biggest concern for an area stretching from central Michigan through southwestern New York and central Pennsylvania.
Map shows areas that could see icy conditions on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 26-27, 2025.
CBS News
CBS News Detroit reports freezing rain and sleet could make roads extremely treacherous. A winter weather advisory has been issued for Lapeer, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
CBS News Pittsburgh reports most of the the Pittsburgh metro area will only have a brief window for freezing rain before switching over to rain, but portions of central Pennsylvania will get ice accumulation of a quarter-inch or more.
The storm approaches the Philadelphia area Friday afternoon, with CBS News Philadelphia meteorologists advising residents to “Be where you need to be by 3 p.m. on Friday if you can,” and stay off the roads Friday evening and overnight into Saturday.
CBS News Baltimore warns a slick wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet will develop Friday afternoon for parts of central and northern Maryland.
Map shows snow forecast for New York City area
The storm becomes a major snow event for the New York City area from Friday afternoon into Saturday.
Map shows areas that could see significant snowfall on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 26-27, 2025.
CBS News
CBS News New York reports snowfall amounts of 4 to 8 inches are forecast for the metro area, while some northern communities could see up to 10 inches, with locally higher amounts possible in the Catskills and Pocono mountains.
“Get ready for moderate to heavy snow that could accumulate pretty quickly — inch or two an hour snowfall rates will mean treacherous conditions on the road, poor visibility, slick conditions right through the overnight hours,” said CBS News New York meteorologist Tony Sadiku.
“This will be a lot to shovel, so pace yourself,” he added.
It’s expected to be the biggest snowfall the city has seen in nearly four years. The last time NYC got more than 4 inches of snow was Jan. 28-29, 2022, when a strong coastal storm dumped 8.5 inches in Central Park.
Snowfall totals are expected to be slightly lower, 3 to 5 inches, for the Jersey Shore and central New Jersey because of a mix of freezing rain and sleet.
CBS News weather producer Elie Morrison contributed to this report.
