1,300-Mile Path of Ice and Snow: Winter Storm Fern Paralyses U.S.

DATE: JANUARY 24, 2026 — A historic and sprawling weather system, officially named Winter Storm Fern, has effectively bisected the United States, stretching a 1,300-mile corridor of snow and ice from the Southern Plains to the Northeast. As of Saturday afternoon, over 230 million Americans are under winter weather alerts, with officials warning that the worst of the "catastrophic" icing is yet to come for many regions.

A Continent-Sized Footprint

The storm’s reach is staggering. What began as a clash between a moist Pacific system and a brutal Arctic air mass has evolved into a multi-state emergency. The storm's path currently anchors in West Texas and New Mexico, cutting through the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys, and reaching upward into New England.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service (NWS) report that while the northern flank of the storm is burying cities like Oklahoma City, Louisville, and New York under 6 to 15 inches of snow, the southern edge is dealing with a much more treacherous adversary: freezing rain.

Mounting Power Outages

The weight of the ice is proving to be the storm's most destructive element. In states like Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, ice accumulations of up to half an inch have been reported.

• Current Statistics: As of Saturday afternoon, approximately 135,000 homes and businesses are without power nationwide.

• Texas at the Epicenter: Texas alone accounts for nearly 60,000 of those outages, as freezing rain snaps tree limbs and downs power lines.

• The "Ice Anchor" Effect: Utility companies in Virginia and North Carolina have warned that recovery will be slow. A mere quarter-inch of ice can add hundreds of pounds of weight to power lines, making repairs dangerous and time-consuming in sub-zero wind chills.

Chaos on the Roads and in the Air

Travel has come to a near-complete standstill across the central and southern U.S.

• Road Closures: Major arteries, including I-30 near Little Rock and segments of I-40, have seen significant accidents and standstills. Law enforcement in Tennessee and Mississippi have urged residents to stay home, describing many highways as "sheets of glass."

• Aviation Gridlock: The storm has decimated flight schedules. Over 11,000 flights have been cancelled this weekend, with major hubs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, and New York seeing the highest volume of grounded planes.

• Ground Transit: Public transit systems, including the Austin metro, have begun preemptive shutdowns to ensure the safety of operators and passengers.

Record Cold and States of Emergency

The human impact is being compounded by a trailing blast of Arctic air. Wind chills are plummeting to -35°F in Chicago and are expected to drop below zero as far south as the Gulf Coast.

At least 21 states, along with Washington D.C., have declared States of Emergency. These declarations allow for the mobilization of the National Guard to assist in clearing roads and reaching residents trapped without heat. Governors in states like Virginia and Kentucky have taken to social media to warn that the snow and ice will be "very, very slow to melt," likely hindering recovery efforts well into next week.

Looking Ahead

Winter Storm Fern is expected to reach its peak intensity in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast through Sunday. With the potential for "whiteout" conditions in the D.C. to Boston corridor and continued icing in the Carolinas, officials are stressing one message: this is a long-duration event. Residents are advised to stay indoors, check on vulnerable neighbors, and prepare for the possibility of being without power for several days.