Winter Storm Fern Threatens Deep South And East Coast

As the Deep South and the Eastern Seaboard brace for the weekend of January 23-25, 2026, forecasters from Alabama to New Jersey are sounding the alarm: a major winter storm, already dubbed Winter Storm Fern, is poised to unleash a dangerous mix of snow, sleet, and ice across a swath of the United States unaccustomed to such widespread frozen precipitation. This rare convergence of arctic air, abundant moisture, and shifting atmospheric pressure systems is expected to test power grids, snarl travel, and bring day-to-day life to a grinding halt for millions.

According to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency, confidence is high for a significant winter weather event across at least the northern half of Alabama, beginning Friday night and stretching through Sunday. Meteorologist Jim Stefkovich detailed that an upper-level system would first bring rain showers to much of the state from late Wednesday into early Friday, with an inch or less of rainfall mainly over the northern half. But that’s just the prelude. Cold air will filter into Alabama Friday afternoon and evening, with temperatures near and north of I-20 dropping below freezing around midnight Saturday. “Precipitation will begin falling across north Alabama by 12 am Saturday and spread across the entire state during the day. Unfortunately, it appears the precipitation will not end until late Sunday afternoon or Monday,” Stefkovich wrote.

For residents north of I-20, freezing rain is the most likely form of precipitation, though sleet and snow are also possible, especially near and north of the Tennessee River. Some model guidance, Stefkovich warns, shows well over an inch of ice accumulation—far above the quarter-inch threshold where power lines start to fail. “Widespread and prolonged power outages as well as extremely dangerous road conditions are a growing concern,” he noted. Even in the southern half of Alabama, where cold rain is expected, temperatures Saturday night into Sunday morning could dip to freezing, causing some freezing rain issues and hazardous driving conditions.

Winter Storm Fern’s reach, however, extends well beyond Alabama. The Weather Channel forecasted on January 20 that the storm would bring widespread heavy snow and ice accumulations to the Deep South this weekend. All precipitation types are on the table, with rain changing over to freezing rain, sleet, and eventually snow from north to south. The greatest ice threat, according to their models, spans from central Texas through northern Louisiana and into Mississippi, putting cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Shreveport, Alexandria, and Greenville directly in the crosshairs. The consequences? Tree damage and power outages are likely, and travel will become “difficult to impossible” during the weekend.

In Tennessee, the First Alert Weather Team at WVLT in Knoxville has issued a First Alert Weather Day for Saturday, warning that winter weather is possible for some areas across the southeast. While frigid early-week temperatures are expected—Wednesday highs may reach only into the 40s—the real concern is the potential for snow and ice over the weekend. Timing and specific placement remain uncertain, but residents are urged to monitor conditions closely and keep tabs on potential power outages with their local utility providers.

The threat isn’t confined to the Deep South. Charleston, South Carolina, is also on alert. WCBD’s Storm Team 2 meteorologists report that a strong, cold high-pressure system is expected to push southward as a low-pressure system develops offshore, creating the classic setup for wintry weather in the region. “In a set up like this, you get a clash with cold air, warm air to the south, and an area of low pressure developing to the south spreading moisture over on top of the cold air that could be spilling into the Lowcountry,” explained meteorologist Jed Christoph. While the forecast is still evolving, overnight lows are expected to plummet into the upper and lower 20s, with a cold, wet weekend increasingly likely and the threat of winter weather, especially late Saturday night into Sunday morning, looming large.

The mid-Atlantic is also bracing for impact. In Washington, D.C., FOX 5’s Tucker Barnes described a “bitter blast of cold air” settling over the region Tuesday, with afternoon temperatures struggling to reach 29 degrees and wind chills making it feel like the single digits. After a brief midweek warmup, several rounds of arctic air tied to the polar vortex are expected to arrive, setting the stage for a potentially impactful winter storm. “Models have been unrelenting in trying to give us a significant snow event on Sunday,” Barnes said. A developing system from the south is expected to reach the region late Saturday night, with snow most likely Sunday into early Monday. Early models suggest the storm could be sizable, raising the possibility of major impacts to traffic and possible school disruptions on Monday should higher-end snowfall totals materialize.

Farther north, the National Weather Service in New Jersey is monitoring what it calls an “increasing potential for an impactful winter storm” this weekend. Most forecast models depict a storm developing near Texas on Friday, then tracking up the East Coast toward New Jersey. The southern half of the state has a 40 to 60 percent chance of six or more inches of snow, with decreasing probabilities farther north. Areas south and west of the I-95 corridor have a 60 to 70 percent chance of two or more inches. The timing of the storm is expected to be late Saturday through Sunday, potentially lingering into Monday depending on the system’s speed. Meanwhile, New Jersey is already experiencing dangerously cold conditions, with wind chills near or below zero and a cold weather advisory in effect. Highs will briefly moderate midweek before another arctic front brings a return to frigid conditions by Friday, with highs in the teens and 20s and lows in the single digits and teens expected through the weekend.

What makes this storm so challenging for forecasters—and potentially so dangerous for residents—is the sheer complexity of the atmospheric setup. The collision of arctic air masses, abundant Gulf and Atlantic moisture, and the precise track of the low-pressure system will determine whether a given town sees rain, ice, or a foot of snow. As WCBD’s Jed Christoph cautioned, “These are just the first signs potentially for an impactful system. There will be changes. Changes are absolutely expected, so that’s why I’m saying, just a heads-up – this is what we’re looking at. Keep an eye on it as we get closer to the weekend.”

With widespread power outages, treacherous roads, and school and business closures all on the table, meteorologists across the South and East Coast are urging residents to stay tuned to local forecasts, make preparations now, and check on vulnerable neighbors. The storm’s final track and intensity remain uncertain, but the message is clear: Winter Storm Fern is shaping up to be a rare and potentially dangerous event for millions from Texas to New Jersey.