A sprawling and potentially historic winter storm is sweeping across the United States, bringing heavy snow, dangerous ice, and bitter cold to more than half of the nation.
New York and several eastern states are already in the grip of severe winter weather. Heavy snowfall has forced the cancellation of numerous flights, while slippery roads, power outages, and widespread transportation disruptions have prompted emergency declarations in multiple states, according to news agency reports.
The massive storm is developing as arctic air collides with deep tropical moisture over Texas, setting the stage for a high-impact event expected to unfold over the next 60 hours. Winter weather alerts now cover approximately 179 million people, including 19 million under Ice Storm Warnings. Cold weather alerts extend across nearly 200 million residents, from southern Texas to the Canadian border.
The most destructive threat comes from two major ice corridors, one stretching from East Texas into Central Tennessee, and another from Northern Georgia into Central Virginia. Forecasters warn that significant ice accumulation in these areas could lead to scattered to widespread power outages, creating hazardous conditions as temperatures plunge.
Meanwhile, a vast band of heavy snow nearly 1,500 miles long is expected to extend from Oklahoma City to Boston. Parts of the interior Northeast could receive 12 to 18 inches of snow, with major cities along the I-95 corridor also facing disruptive accumulations.
Oklahoma City is forecast to receive 12 to 14 inches, potentially placing the storm among its top ten two-day snow events on record. Louisville could see 10 to 14 inches, approaching historic snowfall levels.
Major cities including Tulsa, Cincinnati, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York City, Albany, Hartford, Providence, and Boston are all within the zone of significant snowfall, with conditions likely to paralyze travel and daily life. Additional impacts are expected in St. Louis, Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse.
The storm’s timing adds to the danger. On Saturday, heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected to rapidly expand across the South, making travel nearly impossible in many areas from Texas to the Carolinas.
Authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare for prolonged disruptions as the powerful winter system continues to intensify.
