NWS Warns 100 Million of Rare, Dangerous Ice Storm With Prolonged Outages From Southwest to Carolinas
The NWS warns up to 100 million people from the Southwest to the Carolinas to brace for a rare, dangerous ice storm that forecasters describe as historically high-impact for both ice and snow. A shallow cold layer will produce freezing rain that freezes on contact, and with an Arctic air mass keeping surfaces below freezing for days—especially in unusually affected areas like Arizona and Texas—accumulated ice could cause prolonged multi-day power outages; officials urge staying off roads during freezing rain and watching for raindrops when surface temperatures are below freezing.
📌 Key Facts
- NWS scientist Eric Guillot characterizes the storm as “historically” high impact for both ice and snow.
- Guillot explains a shallow cold layer creates freezing rain that only freezes on contact with surfaces, producing dangerous ice accumulation.
- Columbia University disaster-preparedness meteorologist Andrew Kruczkiewicz warns areas like Arizona and Texas, which rarely see these conditions, are especially at risk and may experience this precipitation for the first time.
- Experts say an Arctic air mass behind the storm means accumulated ice may not melt for several days.
- Prolonged icing will make it harder for utilities to restore power and increases the likelihood of multi-day outages.
- The article provides practical guidance distinguishing snow, sleet and freezing rain, advises staying off roads during freezing rain, and warns to watch for raindrops when surface temperatures are below freezing.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 23, 2026
8:41 PM
How to prepare for "rare," "dangerous" ice expected from this weekend's storm
New information:
- NWS scientist Eric Guillot characterizes the storm as 'historically' high impact for both ice and snow and explains in detail how a shallow cold layer creates freezing rain that only freezes on contact with surfaces.
- Columbia University disaster-preparedness meteorologist Andrew Kruczkiewicz warns that areas like Arizona and Texas, which rarely see such conditions, are especially at risk and may be seeing this type of precipitation 'for the first time.'
- Experts emphasize that with an Arctic air mass behind the storm, accumulated ice may not melt for several days, making it harder for utilities to restore power and increasing the likelihood of multi-day outages.
- The article provides practical safety guidance distinguishing snow, sleet and freezing rain and advises people to stay off roads entirely in freezing rain and to watch for raindrops when surface temperatures are below freezing.
January 22, 2026