Name: Millions of Americans Brace for Major Winter Storm: What to Know and How to Prepare
Uploaded: 2026-01-27T08:01:40.000Z
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Millions of Americans from the Southern Plains to the Northeast are bracing for a powerful winter storm expected to deliver crippling ice, heavy snowfall, and life-threatening cold through the weekend. Forecasters warn the system could trigger prolonged power outages, make travel treacherous or impossible, and cause widespread disruptions across the region.

The storm is forecast to begin on Friday and rapidly intensify as it moves east. The sprawling winter storm is expected to affect a wide swath of the country, with different hazards stretching across multiple regions, <a href="https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/discussions/hpcdiscussions.php?disc=pmdspd">according</a> to the National Weather Service (NWS).

"Now is the time to finish preparations for the winter storm and listen to your local weather forecast office for specific storm information and impacts for your region," stated the NWS on Jan. 22.
<h2><strong>Who Is Affected</strong></h2>
As of Thursday, the National Weather Service (NWS) said 123 million people, primarily in the South and Northeast, were under Winter Storm Watches. Another 27 million people faced Extreme Cold Warnings across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and parts of the Northern Plains.

The storm’s projected path spans at least 19 states, from Texas and the Gulf Coast through the Carolinas, Ohio Valley, and Mid-Atlantic.

The highest risk of crippling ice and long-lasting power outages extends across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia’s Piedmont.

Farther north, the storm is set to bring heavy snow from the Southern Plains through the Midwest and into the Mid-Atlantic and New England. States like Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and much of the Northeast could see snowfall nearing a foot or more in some areas, making travel dangerous and increasing the risk of disruptions.

In the Northeast, stating on Thursday, there will be lake effect snow and snow squalls, with a second round of snow squalls possible on Friday.

“Snow squalls create an extremely dangerous combination of heavy snow rates and strong, gusty winds, leading to snow-covered roads and near-zero visibility,” states the NWS. “If you encounter a snow squall while driving and cannot safely exit the roadway, reduce speed, turn on your lights and hazards and avoid slamming on the brakes.”

Meanwhile, dangerously cold Arctic air is gripping the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, including North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan. Wind chills are expected to plunge to life-threatening levels.

“These wind chills will pose life-threatening risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin,” states the NWS. “Ensure pets and animals have protection from the cold.”

Forecasters warn that if power outages occur during these extreme temperatures, the risks to health and safety will escalate sharply.
<h2><strong>Winter Storm Impact: States in the Path</strong></h2>
These states face the highest risk of crippling ice accumulations, with forecasts calling for up to half an inch or more. Results could include snapped trees, toppled power lines, and roads that remain impassable for days. This Primary Ice & Freezing Rain Zone poses the greatest threat of widespread, prolonged power outages.
<ul>
 	<li>Texas</li>
 	<li>Oklahoma</li>
 	<li>Arkansas</li>
 	<li>Louisiana</li>
 	<li>Mississippi</li>
 	<li>Alabama</li>
 	<li>Tennessee</li>
 	<li>Georgia</li>
 	<li>South Carolina</li>
 	<li>North Carolina</li>
 	<li>Virginia’s Piedmont Region</li>
</ul>
The following states are forecast to receive heavy snowfall. Some areas north of the storm track may be buried under a foot or more of snow. The Heavy Snow Zone of this winter storm faces the risk of dangerous or even impossible travel conditions.
<ul>
 	<li>Oklahoma’s Northern areas</li>
 	<li>Missouri</li>
 	<li>Illinois</li>
 	<li>Indiana</li>
 	<li>Ohio</li>
 	<li>Kentucky</li>
 	<li>West Virginia</li>
 	<li>Virginia</li>
 	<li>Pennsylvania</li>
 	<li>Maryland</li>
 	<li>New Jersey</li>
 	<li>New York</li>
 	<li>Massachusetts</li>
 	<li>Connecticut</li>
 	<li>Rhode Island</li>
 	<li>Vermont</li>
 	<li>New Hampshire</li>
 	<li>Maine</li>
</ul>
These states are currently facing, or are forecast to face, life-threatening Arctic cold. Wind chills are plummeting well below zero and are expected to fall well below minus 50. The following states in the Extreme Cold & Dangerous Wind Chill Zone pose a severe risk to anyone exposed to the conditions.
<ul>
 	<li>North Dakota</li>
 	<li>South Dakota</li>
 	<li>Minnesota</li>
 	<li>Wisconsin</li>
 	<li>Nebraska</li>
 	<li>Iowa</li>
 	<li>Michigan</li>
</ul>
Some areas farther south may also experience sub-zero wind chills, according to the National Weather Service.
<h2><strong>How to Stay Safe, National Weather Service Guidance</strong></h2>
If you are indoors, it’s <a href="https://www.weather.gov/safety/winter-during">recommended</a> to stay inside during the storm and use heating sources safely with proper ventilation.

If heat is lost, the weather service advises closing off unused rooms, sealing drafts, and wearing layers. It’s also recommended to eat and drink regularly to maintain body heat and prevent dehydration.

It’s advised to prepare now, before the storm arrives. The National Weather Service urges residents to monitor local forecasts closely and complete storm preparations before conditions deteriorate.

If you must travel by car, the weather service warns that roads can be slick even when they appear wet. Slow down, completely clear snow and ice from your vehicle, and make sure to carry emergency supplies.

Always inform someone of your travel plans before you leave. For added safety, share your location with trusted family or friends using a tracking app so they can monitor your progress in real time.

If visibility drops, safely pull off the road and remain stopped with your hazard lights on until conditions improve. Avoid resuming travel until you can see clearly and the roadway is safe.

If your vehicle becomes stuck, stay inside to avoid exposure to the cold. Run the engine for heat in short intervals, ensuring the exhaust pipe is clear to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

Make your vehicle visible to rescuers by keeping your dome light on at night and tying a bright cloth to your antenna or door handle.

If you are caught outside, find shelter immediately if possible. Stay dry, cover all exposed skin, and insulate yourself from the cold ground.

If no shelter is available, build a windbreak or snow cave for protection. Melt snow before drinking it to avoid lowering your body temperature, and move your arms and legs periodically to keep blood circulating and prevent frostbite or hypothermia.

Avoid overexertion, such as shoveling heavy snow or strenuous activities, as it can increase your risk of a heart attack or hypothermia in extremely cold weather.
<h2><strong>What’s Fueling the Storm</strong></h2>
The system is drawing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico as it collides with entrenched Arctic air. The National Weather Service expects heavy snow, with locally higher amounts, near a foot on the storm’s northern edge from Oklahoma to Massachusetts, while mixed precipitation and freezing rain dominate farther south.

Significant ice accumulations could lead to extensive tree damage, impassable roads, and long-duration power outages, conditions that forecasters say could compound the dangers posed by extreme cold.
<h2><strong>On the Ground</strong></h2>
Southern and Midwestern cities <a href="https://apnews.com/article/winter-weather-snow-ice-weekend-storm-e82e152fea39809180714137d7aa56a4">are bracing</a> for the storm with far fewer winter resources than their northern counterparts. Jackson, Mississippi, for example, lacks traditional snowplows and must depend on heavy machinery and just three trucks to spread salt and sand.

Nashville has 45 snowplows at the ready, while Memphis operates only 15 snow and ice removal trucks and six brine spreaders, equipment that could be quickly overwhelmed by a severe storm.

Air travel is also at risk. Four major U.S. hub airports, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Memphis, and Charlotte, are directly in the storm’s path, with additional delays likely as the system moves east.

Drivers may need to adjust plans. “You’ve got to be very weather aware, and real smart about what you’re doing,” said Charles Daniel, a semitrailer driver in western Oklahoma. “One mistake can literally kill somebody, so you have to use your head.”

<em>The Associated Press contributed to this report. </em>

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