Arctic Blast Winter Storm Leaves 700,000 Without Power and About 10,000 Flights Canceled Across Central and Eastern U.S.
An Arctic‑blast winter storm swept a roughly 2,000‑mile swath of the central and eastern U.S., bringing heavy snow, sleet and "crippling" freezing rain that forecasters warned could cause catastrophic ice, widespread tree and power‑line damage and life‑threatening wind chills (as low as −50°F in parts of the Northern Plains). The system left roughly 700,000 customers without power—mostly in the South—forced about 10,000 flight cancellations from Dallas to Boston and prompted dozens of emergency declarations, National Guard activations and large‑scale utility and transportation pre‑staging.
📌 Key Facts
- A single, sprawling low‑pressure system that formed in the Southwest on Jan. 23 tapped Gulf moisture and Arctic air and tracked slowly east, sweeping a roughly 2,000–2,300 mile swath from the Southern Plains into the Mid‑South, Mid‑Atlantic and New England over several days.
- More than 200 million Americans are in the storm’s path; federal agencies (NOAA/FEMA) warned the figure could be as high as 230+ million across about 34 states, and at peak 140–180 million people were reported under winter‑storm watches or warnings.
- Forecasters warned of a multi‑hazard event: heavy snow (forecasts of 1 foot or more through the I‑95 corridor and localized totals of 12–22 inches or higher in parts of the Plains and Ohio Valley, with isolated 2‑foot amounts), a ribbon of "catastrophic" freezing rain/ice from east Texas into the Carolinas (0.5″+ of ice likely in hardest‑hit zones), and a follow‑on blast of life‑threatening cold (wind chills down to −40 to −50°F in parts of the Northern Plains and subzero wind chills extending as far south as Texas and North Carolina).
- Officials warned that half an inch or more of ice can add extreme weight to trees and power lines and produce hurricane‑like, long‑duration outages; utilities pre‑staged crews, grid managers postponed maintenance, and as of the latest reports more than roughly 700,000 customers (concentrated in the South) were without power amid widespread tree damage and downed lines.
- The storm caused major travel disruption: roughly 10,000–12,000 U.S. flights were canceled over the weekend (some trackers reported higher totals or broader flight disruptions), with large impacts at hubs including Dallas–Fort Worth, Nashville, Charlotte, Atlanta, LaGuardia and Reagan National; several airports (e.g., Will Rogers World) scrubbed all Saturday/Sunday‑morning service and airlines issued mass rebooking waivers (American among the hardest hit).
- State and federal emergency responses were activated: at least 15–18 states declared emergencies, multiple governors urged residents to shelter in place, some states activated National Guard troops, FEMA pre‑positioned millions of meals, hundreds of generators and blankets and put search‑and‑rescue teams on standby, and federal officials directed extra grid and data‑center generator resources to support resilience.
- Widespread local disruptions and safety actions were reported — schools and events canceled, road pretreatment and plowing underway, mass purchases of ice melt and generators, and on‑the‑ground incidents including ice‑laden trees snapping, hundreds of crash/stranded‑motorist calls in some cities, and repeated public warnings about frostbite risk and indoor carbon‑monoxide dangers from improper generator or grill use.
📰 Source Timeline (48)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 25, 2026
2:25 PM
Winter Storm Blankets Central and Eastern U.S.
New information:
- Outage toll updated to more than 700,000 power customers without electricity, mainly in the South.
- Flight disruption quantified at roughly 10,000 cancellations affecting airports from Dallas to Boston.
- Confirms that more than 200 million people are in the storm’s path, framing the national scale of the event.
1:47 PM
Power out for hundreds of thousands, roadways snarled with ice from storm
New information:
- Poweroutage.us data showing more than 600,000 customers without power Sunday morning, including roughly 220,000 in Tennessee, 125,000 in Texas, 120,000 in Mississippi, 115,000 in Louisiana, 38,000 in Kentucky and 12,000 in Georgia.
- National Weather Service estimate that nearly 180 million people — more than half the U.S. population — are under threat from heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain along a corridor from the southern Rockies to New England.
- On-the-ground reports of ice-laden trees snapping and downing power lines in Shelby County, Texas, and DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, leaving up to half of local electric customers without power and blocking roads.
- Local emergency-response details, including Louisville, Kentucky handling more than 850 calls related to collisions, stranded motorists and cold exposure in a single day, and Virginia State Police responding to 177 crashes since the storm began.
- Georgia officials warning residents in the northern part of the state to be off the roads by sundown and prepared to shelter in place for 48 hours, with the DOT deploying 1,800 workers on 12-hour shifts to brine highways ahead of what they call possibly the state’s biggest ice storm in more than a decade.
1:11 PM
Flight cancellations today top 9,900 — most in a single day since pandemic
New information:
- Sunday U.S. flight cancellations have topped 9,900, the highest single-day total since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and more than double Saturday’s cancellations.
- More than 1,800 U.S. flights for Monday have already been canceled in advance of the storm’s continued impacts.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport halted all takeoffs and landings while snow is cleared, warning of widespread cancellations Sunday.
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and LaGuardia Airport detailed reduced schedules and significant impacts, with Atlanta, Charlotte and Philadelphia also expecting major disruptions.
- Flight tracking service Flightradar24 identified American Airlines as the most impacted carrier this weekend, followed by United and Delta.
4:43 AM
Americans brace for massive winter storm
New information:
- NOAA and FEMA now estimate more than 230 million Americans across 34 states may be affected by the storm, expanding prior impact estimates.
- NOAA warns of 'catastrophic' ice accumulation capable of causing long-duration outages, extensive tree damage and impassable travel for up to a week, especially where freezing rain exceeds one‑half inch in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
- President Donald Trump has approved emergency declarations and emergency funding in several states ahead of the storm.
- FEMA has pre‑positioned more than 7 million meals, 300 generators and 600,000 blankets in addition to search‑and‑rescue teams.
- The storm has already led airlines to cancel more than 18,000 flights for Saturday and Sunday.
12:40 AM
Travel cancellations pile up amid winter storm
New information:
- CBS reports from Newark Liberty International Airport that airlines have already canceled more than 10,000 flights over the weekend due to the storm.
- The report indicates cancellations are "growing by the hour" on Saturday, underscoring that disruption is still escalating in real time.
- The segment highlights on-the-ground conditions at a major Northeast hub, showing how the storm’s national forecasts are translating into concrete passenger impacts.
January 24, 2026
8:24 PM
Millions brace for 'catastrophic' ice as 18 states declare emergency amid historic winter storm
New information:
- Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has declared a state of emergency, activated the National Guard, and says about 90% of state highways have been pre‑treated.
- At least 18 states, including New York, Kentucky, Georgia and Texas, have declared states of emergency as the 2,300‑mile storm advances.
- National Weather Service Director Ken Graham told Fox the ice threat is 'catastrophic' for some areas and warned of days‑long neighborhood‑level outages if local lines and trees fail.
- President Trump posted that FEMA is 'fully prepared to respond' and said the administration is coordinating with state and local officials.
6:17 PM
Over 10,000 flights canceled as massive winter storm bears down across the U.S.
New information:
- Confirms more than 11,000 U.S. flights canceled over the weekend, including nearly 4,000 on Saturday and over 7,600 already canceled for Sunday, with Dallas–Fort Worth, Nashville and Charlotte among the hardest-hit hubs.
- Specifies that roughly 140 million people — more than 40% of the U.S. population — are under a winter storm warning from New Mexico to New England, with a forecast band of catastrophic ice from east Texas to North Carolina.
- Reports early impacts: about a quarter‑inch of ice already in parts of southeastern Oklahoma, eastern Texas and Louisiana; more than 95,000 power outages nationwide Saturday morning (36,000 in Texas, 10,000 in Virginia).
- Details that all Saturday flights and Sunday-morning flights at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City were canceled, aiming to restart service Sunday afternoon, and describes early road icing across Mississippi and sleet/snow in Little Rock.
- Includes National Weather Service commentary that the storm’s follow‑on deep cold will prevent quick melting and could significantly hinder recovery efforts compared to a typical event.
6:17 PM
Almost 12,000 flights canceled as massive winter storm bears down across the U.S.
New information:
- Updated national tally of flight cancellations: almost 12,000 flights canceled across the weekend, with more than 4,000 on Saturday and over 8,000 already scrubbed for Sunday.
- National Weather Service now reports roughly 140 million people under winter storm warnings, from New Mexico to New England, and a quarter‑inch of ice already in parts of southeast Oklahoma, eastern Texas and Louisiana by midday Saturday.
- Officials highlight that a severe cold wave immediately following the storm will keep snow and ice from melting, delaying power restoration and recovery; Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport canceled all Saturday flights and Sunday morning departures.
- Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger publicly urged residents to stay off roads from Saturday evening through at least Monday morning and to stock blankets, food and other supplies in advance.
6:17 PM
Thousands of flights canceled as massive winter storm bears down across the U.S.
New information:
- About 13,000 flights were canceled across the U.S. for Saturday and Sunday, with all Saturday flights and Sunday‑morning departures scrubbed at Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers International Airport.
- Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport, a major national hub, saw more than 700 departing flights canceled on Saturday alone.
- Roughly 120,000 power outages were reported Saturday along the storm’s path, including about 50,000 each in Texas and Louisiana, as ice‑laden trees and limbs brought down lines.
- President Trump has approved emergency declarations for at least a dozen states, and FEMA has pre‑positioned commodities, staff and search‑and‑rescue teams in multiple regions.
3:49 PM
More than 230 million Americans in path of winter storm
New information:
- CBS pegs the storm’s potential impact zone at more than 230 million Americans.
- Confirms the Northeast and Midwest as key regions in the storm’s projected path.
- Reinforces that hazardous conditions are expected over the coming weekend.
3:14 PM
Americans brace for snow, ice, frigid weather
New information:
- CBS reiterates that Americans nationwide are 'bracing for snow, ice, frigid weather' from massive weekend storms.
- Confirms expectation of 'major disruptions across the country,' aligning with earlier reporting on flight cancellations and emergency declarations.
2:58 PM
Flights canceled, states of emergency declared as winter storm bears down
New information:
- Forecasters now have more than 200 million people under some form of winter storm threat, from the Southern Rockies to New England.
- At least 17 states plus Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency, and nine states have already activated their National Guards.
- FlightAware reports over 3,300 U.S. flight cancellations and more than 640 delays for Saturday, with over 5,900 U.S. flights already canceled for Sunday; Dallas–Fort Worth International has canceled about 75% of its Saturday schedule and Nashville International about 59%.
- As of Saturday morning, more than 39,000 customers in Texas were without power, and officials are warning that heavy ice could cause prolonged, dangerous outages across the South where most homes rely on electric heat.
- Officials are explicitly drawing comparisons to the deadly 2021 Texas freeze, highlighting carbon‑monoxide risks from indoor generator or grill use as residents prepare for sub‑freezing temperatures following the storm.
1:07 PM
More than 15,000 US flights have now been disrupted by America’s massive winter storm
New information:
- FlightAware data as of 5:40 a.m. Saturday show nearly 10,000 U.S. flight cancellations through Monday and another roughly 5,000 delays, totaling over 15,000 disruptions tied to the storm.
- American Airlines has about 822 cancellations Saturday, Southwest about 571, Delta 165 and United 150, making American the hardest-hit carrier so far.
- The FAA reports airport closures including Harry Reid International, John Wayne Airport and San Diego International as weather and air-traffic teams coordinate de-icing and snow removal.
- The article reiterates FOX Weather’s note that over 190 million Americans are under some form of winter weather alert and that the NWS is urging people in the storm’s path to avoid travel if at all possible.
- President Trump reposted the NWS warning on Truth Social and said FEMA is "fully prepared" to respond to the storm’s impacts.
12:53 PM
Latest forecast maps show fresh predictions for winter weather
New information:
- Forecast maps now show specific projected snowfall bands, including 12–18 inches for major cities such as New York City, Boston and Oklahoma City and up to 2 feet for parts of Kentucky and Virginia.
- NWS ice-accumulation projections highlight up to 1 inch of ice in parts of northern Louisiana, central and northern Mississippi, southern Tennessee and the southern Appalachians, with 0.75 inch possible in parts of Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.
- The article quantifies cold alerts: more than 43 million people under an extreme cold warning (below 5°F), 22 million under an extreme cold watch, and 146 million under a cold-weather advisory (15°F or lower).
- CBS interviews a Nashville DOT plow driver underscoring that if roads become packed with snow and then solid ice in single-digit temperatures, "not a lot you can do," emphasizing the limits of response.
- NWS language now explicitly warns of "catastrophic" impacts where freezing rain exceeds a half inch, with prolonged power outages, severe tree damage and long-lasting infrastructure and travel disruption expected.
10:51 AM
As the winter storm rages, here's what to know in your state
New information:
- Confirms NWS concern about 'catastrophic ice accumulations' from the Southern Plains to the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, with specific quote from NWS meteorologist Nicholas Price in Texas describing likely hazards to bridges, trees and homes.
- Details that more than 30 states are under some form of NWS watch, warning or advisory as of Saturday morning, and reiterates that over 8,000 flights have been canceled nationwide this weekend.
- Lists concrete state responses: Alabama’s governor declaring an emergency for 19 northern counties; Arkansas’ governor declaring an emergency and highway officials warning of an unusually long-lasting, hard-to-clear storm; Connecticut’s governor activating the Severe Cold Weather Protocol, mobilizing 650 plows, 900 drivers and 250 utility crews; Georgia’s governor declaring an emergency and authorizing up to 500 National Guard troops while activating anti–price-gouging and trucking waivers; Indiana’s governor activating the National Guard and State Police.
- Adds localized impact expectations, including NWS warnings that central and eastern Kentucky could see their heaviest snow in a decade and that Lexington’s totals may rank among the city’s top ten snowstorms since 1887.
6:53 AM
Over 8,000 flights canceled as major winter storm bears down across much of the US
New information:
- More than 8,000 U.S. flights scheduled over the weekend have been canceled (about 3,400+ on Saturday and 5,000+ on Sunday) according to FlightAware.
- Roughly 140 million people are under winter storm warnings from New Mexico to New England, with NWS forecasting a band of 'catastrophic' ice from east Texas to North Carolina and hurricane‑like damage potential in the hardest‑hit ice zones.
- The storm is already delivering freezing rain and sleet into Texas and snow/sleet into Oklahoma, with forecasts of about a foot of snow from Washington, D.C., through New York and Boston as it moves northeast.
- The federal government has nearly 30 search‑and‑rescue teams on standby and FEMA has pre‑positioned more than 7 million meals, 600,000 blankets and 300 generators along the storm’s projected path.
- President Donald Trump posted that his administration is coordinating with state and local officials and that 'FEMA is fully prepared to respond,' while more than a dozen governors have declared emergencies or urged residents to stay home.
January 23, 2026
11:55 PM
More than two dozen states preparing for impacts of massive winter storm
New information:
- PBS segment underscores that between Friday and Monday the storm will impact more than two dozen states with a combination of freezing rain, ice and snow.
- It highlights expected cascading impacts for ordinary travelers: dangerous road conditions, canceled flights, widespread power outages, and elevated hypothermia risk across more than half the nation.
- The piece reinforces that this is being characterized as a 'historic' winter storm by on‑air anchors summarizing NWS guidance.
11:19 PM
What we know heading into massive winter storm
New information:
- CBS reports preparations are underway from New York to Ohio, Texas and South Carolina, confirming impacts in the Mid‑Atlantic and Southeast as well as the core corridor highlighted by NWS.
- At least 15 states have already declared states of emergency ahead of the storm, giving a concrete count of jurisdictions formally mobilizing.
- Local transportation departments are actively salting roads and staging emergency response teams, adding operational detail on pre‑storm actions.
11:15 PM
Latest forecast for winter storm set to hit 2,000-mile expanse of U.S.
New information:
- CBS names the storm’s affected area as a roughly 2,000‑mile expanse of the U.S.
- Forecast segment reiterates that more than 200 million Americans are expected to face frigid and dangerous conditions from this system.
- Provides updated on-air timing and track details for the storm (though the clip text itself is sparse, its purpose is to give the latest NWS-derived forecast).
10:40 PM
National Weather Service director urges people to take winter storm seriously: "This is a big one"
New information:
- National Weather Service Director Ken Graham appeared on CBS and urged Americans to take the approaching winter storm seriously, calling it 'a big one.'
- Graham said NWS models show a 'monster storm' with ice, snow and life‑threatening cold affecting many parts of the U.S. over the upcoming weekend.
- He described what his forecasters are seeing and used the national platform to reinforce federal guidance that people should prepare now for severe conditions.
10:39 PM
What to expect from powerful winter storm
New information:
- CBS on‑scene reporting from Nashville underscores that the storm’s impacts will include that region specifically, illustrating the breadth of the threat.
- The segment reiterates the storm will bring a combination of heavy snow, freezing rain, ice, high winds and sub‑freezing temperatures across much of the U.S. this weekend, reinforcing timing and impact already flagged by NWS.
9:01 PM
LIVE MAP: See the U.S. winter storm 72-hour snowfall forecast
New information:
- PBS provides a live, automatically updating National Weather Service map showing 72‑hour cumulative snowfall forecasts, allowing users to click specific regions for localized projections.
- It specifies that ice and snow are expected to start falling later Friday in Texas and Oklahoma before the system slides into the South with freezing rain and sleet.
- The article highlights NWS expectations of roughly a foot of snow from Washington, D.C., through New York and Boston as the storm moves into the Northeast.
7:18 PM
'Get warm, get safe and stay there,' officials warn as massive storm bears down on U.S.
New information:
- National Weather Service now estimates more than 200 million people are in the storm’s path, with heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies into New England through Monday and dangerous cold persisting into next week.
- More than half a dozen governors from Texas to New York have declared states of emergency, enabling staging of equipment and supplies, pretreatment of roads and activation of National Guard troops.
- The storm is already disrupting daily life: more than 1,000 flights canceled by mid‑morning Friday, 20% of Dallas–Fort Worth flights scrubbed, major school closures in Chicago, Des Moines and Milwaukee, and local governments opening shelters and warming centers.
- Governors and local officials are issuing unusually blunt shelter‑in‑place warnings, with Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein urging residents to 'get warm, get safe and stay there' and treat the event as a multi‑day disruption.
- North Carolina’s governor publicly assured Latino communities that emergency shelters are open to all and that people should not avoid life‑saving shelter out of fear of immigration enforcement or ICE information‑sharing.
7:02 PM
Preparing for the winter storm? Why ice may be more dangerous than snow
New information:
- CBS highlights NWS language about 'catastrophic accumulation' of ice and explains that frigid temperatures after the storm will keep ice in place for days.
- Local officials, including Hot Springs, Arkansas Mayor Pat McCabe, warn that ice — not snow — will be the primary problem for residents and utilities, citing past local experience.
- The article spells out specific household safety guidance: avoiding use of propane heaters or generators indoors after past Texas carbon‑monoxide deaths, road-safety tips focusing on bridges and overpasses, and roof/gutter and pipe‑protection advice from a home inspector.
6:59 PM
How much snow are you getting this weekend? See the forecast.
New information:
- CBS map-based forecast details projected snowfall totals by city and region, including 18–22 inches in Oklahoma City, 18–20 inches in Tulsa, 12–14 inches in Amarillo, and up to 12 inches in Little Rock.
- Forecasts up to 12 inches of snow in Columbus and Indianapolis and as many as 22 inches in Louisville.
- For the Mid‑Atlantic and Northeast, projects 10–14 inches in the Baltimore–Philadelphia–Washington corridor, 12–18 inches around Boston, and 10–18 inches in New York City.
- Highlights that parts of Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and the Carolinas could see around 1 inch or more of ice from the same system.
- Notes that winter storm watches and warnings now span more than 2,000 miles, with more than a dozen states declaring emergencies.
6:36 PM
Winter Storm Fern chaos grips travelers as some airlines issue airport advisories
New information:
- Identifies the storm as Winter Storm Fern and reiterates forecasts of dangerous ice in the Southeast and heavy snow in the North affecting roughly 235 million people.
- Details specific airline travel waivers: American Airlines listing 35 airports with no‑fee rebooking for Jan. 24–27; Delta listing 65 airports for Jan. 24–26; JetBlue listing 35 airports; Southwest listing 46 airports with similar date ranges.
- Reports that Ronald Reagan Washington National, Piedmont Triad International, Dallas Love Field and Dallas Fort Worth International airports have issued their own advisories, described runway‑treatment and contingency plans, and warned passengers to expect delays and cancellations.
- Notes that Dallas Love Field is preparing to keep a secure portion of the terminal open with cots, blankets and snacks for stranded travelers, and that DFW is coordinating closely with the National Weather Service on road and bridge treatment.
- Cites Hopper’s estimate that upwards of 15,000 flights could be delayed because of the storm.
6:19 PM
Huge winter storm is threatening millions. Here's what the numbers show.
New information:
- Highlights that half an inch (0.5") of ice is the threshold for a 'crippling' ice storm capable of toppling trees and power lines, and NWS forecasts that amount or more in parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee.
- Reports that more than 1,500 flights scheduled for Saturday were already canceled as of early Friday, with major disruptions at airports in Dallas, Atlanta, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
- Notes that winter weather alerts now stretch from Arizona and Montana to the Carolinas and Maine, and that forecasters are increasingly confident snow totals could reach a foot or more in I‑95 corridor cities from Washington, D.C. to Boston.
- Provides operational detail on how specific cities with limited snow‑removal fleets (e.g., Jackson, Mississippi’s lack of plows) and preparations like Chicago’s beet‑juice trucks may influence local impacts.
5:45 PM
Latest weather forecast for dangerous, massive U.S. winter storm
New information:
- CBS segment provides an updated on‑air forecast from meteorologist Zoe Mintz, reiterating that the storm will 'cripple many throughout the weekend.'
- Video emphasizes that roughly half of Americans will be impacted, reinforcing prior estimates of 160–200 million people under threat from the storm.
- Segment underscores timing and national scope but does not add new quantitative data beyond earlier written forecasts.
5:04 PM
Forecasters warn of "catastrophic" conditions as winter storm begins
New information:
- The storm has begun, with 161 million Americans under winter storm warnings or watches as of Friday morning.
- At least 14 states, including Alabama, Georgia, Texas, New York and Virginia, have declared states of emergency ahead of or as the storm begins.
- NWS language now warns of 'significant to locally catastrophic ice accumulations' with the potential for long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions.
- Flight disruptions are already substantial: nearly 500 flights canceled Friday, about 1,500 on Saturday, and more than 100 on Sunday, with expectations that cancellations will rise.
- ERCOT is again in the spotlight as Texas faces a major test of its grid resiliency since the deadly 2021 winter blackout.
4:45 PM
Snow and ice threaten millions of Americans as winter storm begins to move across the U.S.
New information:
- CBS segment focuses on current on‑the‑ground conditions as the forecast storm actually begins moving across parts of the country.
- Includes local preparation details from Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt about how the city is bracing for the storm (not fully visible in text but indicated by segment description).
- Confirms that frigid temperatures are already creating or imminently expected to create dangerous conditions for people in affected regions.
3:18 PM
Massive winter storm will sweep across the U.S.
New information:
- CBS segment confirms local preparation efforts in St. Louis, Missouri, with Mayor Cara Spencer discussing how the city is bracing for the storm.
- Reports emphasize that millions of Americans are specifically preparing for likely power outages tied to this storm, not just difficult travel.
- On‑air meteorologists frame the system as one that will 'sweep across the U.S.,' reinforcing the breadth of impact described in earlier forecasts.
3:14 PM
Severe winter storm brings heavy snow, freezing rain, affecting more than 170 million people across US
New information:
- National Weather Service now expects a 'crippling' ice storm from Texas through parts of the South, with extensively dangerous travel from late Friday through the weekend.
- Forecasters say the system could drop more than a foot of snow from Oklahoma through Washington, D.C., New York and Boston, before a follow-on blast of Arctic air.
- Oklahoma’s Highway Patrol has canceled troopers’ days off and is partnering with the National Guard to assist stranded drivers, while Oklahoma DOT has pretreated roads.
- Houston schools closed Friday for an e‑learning day due to cold; Oklahoma City Public Schools canceled classes and activities; Chicago Public Schools and Des Moines Public Schools also canceled school because of dangerous wind chills.
- More than 800 U.S. flights for Friday were delayed or canceled in advance of the storm, including at Dallas, Atlanta and Oklahoma airports.
2:45 PM
Here’s the latest.
New information:
- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul formally declared a state of emergency on Friday as the storm approaches, warning that 'no state will be immune' from its effects.
- The National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center now estimates that more than 160 million people from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England face winter weather hazards, with specific concern over ice loading that can snap power lines.
- Grid managers across the Midwest and East Coast have ordered major utilities to postpone routine maintenance and keep more generation and transmission assets online during the storm.
- Exelon says it is in the midst of a $38 billion program to harden and modernize its grid from Illinois to New Jersey and has activated restoration crews ahead of the storm.
- Energy Secretary Chris Wright ordered that unused backup generators at data centers and other major facilities be made available to regional grids to help prevent blackouts.
- Experts note U.S. utilities are increasingly facing both summer and winter peak demand, shrinking maintenance windows and raising reliability and cost concerns, with this storm expected to bring three to four days of very low temperatures.
2:37 PM
Over 200 million Americans brace for brutal winter storm
New information:
- CBS reports that 'over 200 million Americans' – roughly half the country – could be affected, a higher figure than the earlier 160 million estimate.
- The segment stresses 'dangerously cold temperatures' in addition to icy conditions and heavy snow, underlining hypothermia/frostbite risk alongside outages.
- New reporting on expected travel impacts, with CBS correspondent Kris Van Cleave detailing significant airline and surface-transport disruptions tied to the storm timing.
11:59 AM
Millions of Americans brace for winter storm. And, Zelenskyy's warning for Europe
New information:
- NPR reiterates that the storm will sweep from the Southwest today to the Northeast by Sunday, emphasizing life‑threatening conditions and "treacherous travel" with widespread power outages as ice coats trees and power lines.
- Forecasters quoted by NPR highlight that the northern side of the system will face blinding snow squalls while the South braces for "crippling" ice and sleet.
- Coverage stresses expert advice on preparation for ice specifically, complementing prior more general storm alerts.
10:00 AM
Ice may be more hazardous than snow this weekend. What to expect and how to prepare.
New information:
- NWS forecasters now warn of 'crippling ice and sleet' in the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley, with 0.5 to 1 inch of ice possible in parts of the region.
- A senior NWS forecaster in Memphis says 1–3 inches of snow and sleet plus up to an inch of ice are expected there, and stresses freezing rain is more damaging than snow.
- NPR details why freezing rain is especially hazardous, citing studies that ice can increase tree-branch weight 10–100 times and that a half-inch of ice can add 500 pounds to power lines.
- The article highlights renewed guidance from the American Red Cross and NWS on 'Go-Kits,' 'Stay-at-Home Kits,' and specific winter-driving precautions, underlining expectations of long-duration outages and impassable roads.
9:48 AM
Morning news brief
New information:
- NPR brief reiterates that 'millions of Americans' are preparing for the storm, aligning with earlier warnings but not materially updating timing or scope.
7:25 AM
Texas and Oklahoma brace for snow and ice as winter storm barrels toward eastern two-thirds of US
New information:
- Article specifies that about 160 million people are under winter storm or cold weather watches or warnings, rather than the earlier rough 'more than 200 million affected' framing.
- Details that Chicago Public Schools and Des Moines Public Schools canceled Friday classes due to forecast wind chills as low as −35°F.
- Notes that a Houston‑area utility has 3,300 employees staged to respond, and that Oklahoma DOT has already pretreated highways and interstates with salt brine.
- Quotes Texas Gov. Greg Abbott insisting that, after the deadly 2021 freeze, the state grid 'has never been stronger,' while forecasters warn this ice damage could rival a hurricane.
- Adds on‑the‑ground preparation anecdotes from Alabama and North Carolina, including generator sales and early grocery runs clearing milk and bread.
2:06 AM
1/22: CBS Evening News
New information:
- CBS Evening News segment reiterates that more than 200 million Americans are bracing for the storm, underscoring its national reach.
- Adds on‑the‑ground color about preparations and warnings but no materially new data beyond existing NWS-driven forecasts already captured in the earlier story.
12:16 AM
More than 200 million Americans brace for powerful winter storm
New information:
- CBS pegs the at‑risk population at more than 200 million people in 35 states, quantifying the previously described 'roughly 200 million' and broad region.
- On‑air correspondents highlight specific early travel disruptions and preparations in multiple cities (airlines pre‑canceling flights, road‑treatment and utility staging in different regions), illustrating how the forecast is already affecting operations.
- Network meteorologist Lonnie Quinn walks through updated storm timing and track, reinforcing that the event will unfold over several days with overlapping waves of snow, ice and extreme cold.
January 22, 2026
11:50 PM
What to expect from the potentially devastating winter storm
New information:
- PBS interview with meteorologist Matthew Cappucci underscores that the storm is both 'sprawling' and 'potentially devastating' and will affect a 'massive swath' of the country.
- Segment emphasizes the combination of heavy snow, life‑threatening cold and dangerous ice accumulation rather than just snow and cold alone.
- The discussion frames impacts in terms of what people should expect and prepare for over the entire weekend, reinforcing timing and severity previously reported.
11:29 PM
Millions brace for winter storm: Here's what we know
New information:
- CBS video segment reinforces that more than half of the U.S. population is under threat from the same storm system, with snow and icy conditions expected from the Northeast to Texas and New Mexico.
- Adds on‑the‑ground TV reporting from Jason Allen and Ryan Hughes to complement earlier text forecasts about the same storm track.
- Confirms network forecast framing that this is a single, massive storm system rather than a series of unrelated local events.
1:39 PM
Eye Opener: Huge winter storm set to impact much of U.S.
New information:
- CBS morning segment reiterates that 'millions of Americans are preparing for a huge winter storm' and highlights that 'the South braces for a massive ice storm,' consistent with existing forecasts.
- The clip does not provide new quantitative details beyond what is already captured in the earlier, more substantive storm story.
- It briefly notes Trump’s Greenland comments, but without additional facts beyond those in existing Davos/Greenland coverage.
5:10 AM
Crews spread salt on roads and people stock up on batteries as a winter storm threatens the US
New information:
- On-the-ground preparation details: Bates Ace Hardware in Atlanta sold all 275 bags of ice-melt salt in one morning and had 30 online orders before 8 a.m., illustrating public response.
- Concrete local readiness actions: Arkansas DOT began treating some roads with brine on Tuesday, while Alabama DOT says rain is complicating pretreatment and is urging people to stay off roads if ice forms.
- Specific event disruptions: The city of Carmel, Indiana canceled its Winter Games over frostbite/hypothermia concerns; the Texas Rangers canceled their Fan Fest; some college sports teams moved or postponed games.
- Additional NWS detail repeated in a consumer-focused context: coldest wind chills may drop below -50°F in the Northern Plains, with subzero wind chills extending into the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Plains.
- Individual safety behavior: truckers and residents are stockpiling supplies and adjusting travel plans, with quoted advice on what over-the-road drivers must carry (clothes, water, jackets) if stranded.
12:49 AM
Back-to-back winter storms batter East Coast, with more heavy snow expected
New information:
- CBS package emphasizes that back‑to‑back winter storms are battering the East Coast specifically, not just the broader South‑to‑Northeast corridor.
- Segment reiterates that nearly 200 million Americans could be affected by snow, ice and Arctic air over the coming weekend.
- Provides updated on‑air forecast context from CBS meteorologist Lonnie Quinn tied to the same storm system already tracked in prior coverage.
January 21, 2026
11:05 PM
A massive winter storm will hit large parts of the U.S. through the weekend
New information:
- NWS bulletin Wednesday describes the system as an 'impactful and prolonged winter storm' with heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Southern Plains to the Mid-South starting Friday and then moving up the East Coast through the weekend.
- Specific NWS wind‑chill projections: below −50°F in parts of the Northern Plains (including North Dakota and Minnesota) and below 0°F as far south as Texas and North Carolina.
- As of late Wednesday afternoon, winter storm watches are already posted for large areas of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia.
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has activated state emergency response resources and publicly urged Texans to prepare for ice, snow and freezing rain, explicitly referencing lessons from the deadly 2021 Texas winter storm and grid failure.
- NWS Fort Worth meteorologist Allison Prater notes forecast minimum temperatures in her area are expected to bottom out near 9–10°F rather than −2°F as in 2021, but still warns of 'dangerously cold' conditions and urges residents to complete preparations by Friday.
9:39 PM
Maps show where winter storm threatens to bring snow, brutal cold this weekend
New information:
- Details that the storm’s low‑pressure system will form in the Southwest on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, tapping Gulf moisture and Arctic air and then move slowly east across the South into the East Coast.
- Forecast that wind chills could reach 40–50°F below zero in parts of the northern U.S., with frostbite possible in as little as 5–10 minutes.
- Projected ice accretion of roughly 0.2–0.5 inches along the southern edge of the storm track, enough to bring down power lines and cause dangerous outages during extreme cold.
- Specific snowfall projections of 5–10 inches across portions of the southern Plains as the system organizes Friday into Saturday, with varying totals further east.
- Operational impacts flagged for major Southern and Mid‑South airports that may lack sufficient de‑icing capability, including DFW, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Memphis, Nashville and Atlanta, plus dangerous conditions on key interstates like I‑10, I‑20, I‑30, I‑35, I‑40, I‑44, I‑49 and I‑55.