Severe Winter Storm Threatens Over 200 Million Americans

Mon Feb 02 2026 19:54:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

As the U.S. braces for an unprecedented winter storm set to unleash heavy snowfall and brutal cold temperatures, emergency preparations escalate across multiple states.

A powerful winter storm set to impact broad areas of the U.S. is expected to bring heavy snow, freezing rain, and dangerously low temperatures. The National Weather Service warns of life-threatening conditions from the Arctic blast, prompting states to declare emergencies and mobilize resources for snow removal and public safety. Major travel disruptions are anticipated as the storm tracks eastward from the Rockies to the Northeast, covering cities like New York, Washington D.C., and Boston.

More than 200 million Americans are expected to face an unusually brutal winter storm starting Friday, with heavy snows and freezing rains forecast.

The storm is expected to sweep through much of the United States, leaving extremely dangerous conditions in its wake as it tracks eastwards from the High Plains and Rockies, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

It warned that the Arctic blast will bring sub-zero temperatures and wind chills, which pose a life-threatening risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin.

US transportation officials, including airport authorities in several major cities, have warned of weekend travel disruption, delays and cancellations.

What is the storm's predicted path?

The winter storm is forecast to move slowly across the US, blanketing cities including Memphis, Nashville, Washington D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York with snow.

Heavy snow is predicted through the Southern Rockies and Plains, into the Mid-Atlantic and reaching the Northeast.

According to the NWS Probabilistic Precipitation Portal, the regions that could see more than a foot of snow stretch from Colorado to West Virginia to Boston.

How are states preparing for the storm?

Governors in several US states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, have declared states of emergency, allowing emergency officials - including National Guard troops - to begin mobilising response efforts.

In a press conference on Friday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said the state has over 1,600 snow plows and 114,000 tonnes of salt on hand for the storm. Hochul urged residents to work from home, stock up on groceries and essentials ahead of time and be careful when shoveling snow, which can increase the risk of a heart attack.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Thursday there's no expectation whatsoever that the state's power grid will fail, as it did during a major storm in 2021 which led to hundreds of deaths in the state.

Travelers are advised to avoid driving this weekend, as conditions will be nearly impossible during the peak of the storm. Already, major airlines have canceled thousands of flights in anticipation of severe weather.