Major snow, #IceStorm to affect more than 150 million people in southern, eastern US

A massive winter storm is set to spread heavy snow and ice across more than two dozen states, threatening travel, power outages and dangerous cold from the South and Plains to the Northeast this weekend.

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

Published Jan 20, 2026 11:59 AM EST | Updated Jan 22, 2026

"A high-impact winter storm will spread snow and ice across more than two dozen states from #Texas through the #Carolinas and #Maine from Friday through the weekend. The amount and extent of snow and ice could cut power and disrupt travel for days, increasing the risk to lives and property.

" 'Potentially hundreds of thousands of people may go without electricity and heat for days,' AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.

"So much snow and sleet may occur that roads could become clogged in areas ill-equipped to handle even a light coating of snow, let alone several inches, from #Texas and #Oklahoma to the #MississippiValley. Schools and child-care centers may be closed for days.

"In areas where a thick glaze of ice forms, scores of trees and power lines may come down, and removing ice from streets, highways, parking lots and sidewalks may be difficult or impossible, especially where ice-melting supplies are limited. Utility crews could be overwhelmed by the scope of the storm. "

Read more:
https://www.accuweather.com/en/winter-weather/major-snow-ice-storm-to-affect-more-than-150-million-people-in-southern-eastern-us/1854647

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#ExtremeWeather #PowerOutages #EmergencyPreparedness #ChargeYourPhones #ChargeYourBatteries

Millions brace for potentially catastrophic #IceStorm. What to know, by the numbers

Millions of Americans are bracing for a potentially catastrophic ice storm from #NewMexico to the #Carolinas

ByJEFF MARTIN Associated Press
January 22, 2026

ATLANTA -- "Millions of Americans from New Mexico to the Carolinas are bracing for a potentially catastrophic ice storm that could crush trees and power lines and knock out power for days, while many northern states all the way to New England could see enough snow to make travel nearly impossible, forecasters say.

"An estimated 100 million people were under some type of winter weather watch, warning or advisory on Wednesday ahead of the storm, the National Weather Service said.

"The storm, expected to begin Friday and continue through the weekend, is also projected to bring heavy snow and all types of wintry precipitation, including freezing rain and sleet. An atmospheric river of moisture could be in place by the weekend, pulling precipitation across #Texas and other states along the #GulfCoast and continuing across #Georgia and the Carolinas, forecasters said.

"Here's a look at the approaching storm and how people are preparing for it, by the numbers:

"The number of snowplows owned by the city of Jackson, #Mississippi, where a mix of ice and sleet is possible this weekend. The city uses other heavy machinery like skid steers and small excavators to clear roads, said James Caldwell, deputy director of public works. Jackson also has three trucks that carry salt and sand to spread across roads before freezing weather.

"The amount of ice — half an inch, or 1.27 centimeters — that can lead to a crippling ice storm, toppling trees and power lines to create widespread and long-lasting power outages. The latest forecasts from the National Weather Service warn of the potential for a half-inch of ice or more for many areas, including parts of #Arkansas, #Louisiana, #Alabama, and #Tennessee."

Read more:
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/millions-americans-brace-potentially-catastrophic-ice-storm-numbers-129443097

#WinterWeather #Preparedness #USWx #ExtremeWeather #PowerOutages #EmergencyPreparedness #ChargeYourPhones #ChargeYourBatteries