Historic Winter Storm Slams U.S. With Ice And Snow

As a massive winter storm barrels across the United States, more than 230 million Americans are bracing for a dangerous mix of heavy snow, damaging ice, and life-threatening cold stretching from New Mexico and Texas all the way to New England. The storm, which began Friday, January 23, 2026, is expected to last through Monday, January 26, bringing some of the harshest winter conditions seen in years to regions as far apart as the Southern Rockies and the Northeast, according to the National Weather Service and multiple local news outlets.

Seventeen states and Washington, D.C. have already declared states of emergency, and nine states have activated their National Guards as the storm’s sprawling 2,300-mile-long path threatens to disrupt daily life for much of the country. For many, the main concern isn’t just the snow, but the dangerous accumulation of ice, widespread power outages, and a punishing cold snap that will linger well after the last flakes have fallen.

"A significant, long-duration winter storm will bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England through Monday," the National Weather Service warned in a statement reported by CBS News. The agency cautioned that "widespread travel disruptions, prolonged power outages, and vast tree damage is likely" as the storm intensifies.

Major cities are in the crosshairs. Oklahoma City, for example, is forecast to receive between 12 and 18 inches of snow, while areas at the center of the storm—such as parts of Kentucky and Virginia—could see as much as two feet of accumulation between Saturday and Monday. Even the outer bands of the storm are expected to dump between 1 and 6 inches of snow on large swaths of the country, stretching the resources of local governments and emergency responders.

The southern states are not spared. Ice accumulations of up to 1 inch are forecast for spots in Texas, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee. The National Weather Service warned that "catastrophic impacts are expected where freezing rain amounts exceed a half inch, with over one inch totals possible in parts of northern Louisiana, central and northern Mississippi, southern Tennessee, and the southern Appalachians." The weight of the ice threatens to snap power lines and tree limbs, making for treacherous roads and the likelihood of prolonged outages.

In the Baltimore and Maryland region, preparations have kicked into high gear. According to WBAL-TV, Maryland Governor Wes Moore issued a State of Emergency on Friday, January 23, to mobilize state resources, including the Maryland National Guard. "This winter storm has the potential to be remarkably dangerous," Moore said. "A storm of this magnitude demands an all government response that protects all of our people before, during and after the snowfall." The Maryland State Highway Administration will activate emergency operations, with crews working 12-hour shifts to keep roads clear, and more than 100 National Guard personnel have been mobilized for transportation and logistical support across the state.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott has also declared a State of Emergency, with Phase 2 of the city’s Snow Emergency Plan taking effect at noon on Saturday. "Road pretreatment has already started, and we've lined up the tools that we need to manage the snow, including additional plow and salt contractors. We're in close contact with our partners at the state and the federal level, including to coordinate assets like Humvees and high-clearance vehicles from the Maryland National Guard," Scott explained.

The snow in Baltimore is expected to begin late Saturday night, becoming heaviest by early Sunday morning, with potential snowfall rates reaching 1.5 inches per hour. The National Weather Service upgraded its advisory to a Winter Storm Warning, in effect through Monday. Most of Baltimore is forecast to receive 8 to 12 inches before the snow transitions to ice. Southern areas may see as little as 6 inches, while northwest suburbs could see more than a foot. The shift from snow to sleet or freezing rain is expected by midday Sunday, raising the risk of downed trees and power lines and making travel increasingly hazardous.

Officials across the affected regions have urged residents to stay home unless absolutely necessary. Maryland Emergency Management Secretary Russell Strickland pleaded, "We are asking Marylanders to be a part of this preparedness effort starting right now. We are asking to first and foremost stay off the roads throughout the storm." Governor Moore echoed the sentiment: "Our ask, our plea to the people in the state is, if you can, stay off the roads. If you can, please hunker down. Do not think that this is an understatement or a game. It is not." For essential workers who must venture out, officials have stressed the importance of following all safety instructions.

Farther south and west, the situation is similarly dire. In Oklahoma, Texas, and throughout the Southern Plains, ice accumulations threaten to make roads impassable and cause widespread power outages. Ice is notoriously difficult to clear compared to snow, and the combination of freezing rain and plummeting temperatures means that even areas that escape the heaviest snow could face days of hazardous conditions.

As if the snow and ice weren’t enough, the storm is ushering in a wave of frigid Arctic air. Over 43 million people are under an extreme cold warning, with wind chills expected to fall below 5 degrees Fahrenheit over the next 12 to 24 hours, according to the National Weather Service. Another 22 million are under an extreme cold watch, and more than 146 million are under a cold weather advisory, meaning temperatures or wind chills will fall to or below 15 degrees. In the D.C. area, The Washington Post reports that the storm will be followed by a historically long cold spell that could last beyond Groundhog Day, February 2.

"In the wake of the storm, communities from the Southern Plains to the Northeast will contend with bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills," the National Weather Service said. "This will cause prolonged hazardous travel and infrastructure impacts." In Baltimore, temperatures are expected to remain below freezing throughout the week, raising concerns for vulnerable residents and critical infrastructure like pipes and power lines.

Preparations have extended beyond government agencies. Grocery stores in storm-affected cities are seeing a rush on essentials as residents stock up, and experts have offered tips on winterizing cars and homes. Meteorologists have emphasized the importance of staying updated with local forecasts, as conditions can change rapidly and the transition from snow to ice is notoriously difficult to predict.

For many, the storm is a stark reminder of just how quickly winter can turn dangerous. As officials continue to monitor the evolving situation and coordinate emergency responses, the message is clear: take the warnings seriously, stay informed, and, if at all possible, stay indoors until the worst has passed.