A massive winter storm is battering multiple areas in the U.S., leading at least 21 states to declare emergencies, while over 13,000 flights have been canceled as of Monday.
On Saturday, 21 Jan 2026 GMT+7, a massive winter storm swept across several U.S. states, bringing heavy snow and freezing rain that spread over a distance of more than 2,100 km. It is moving northeastward, expected to affect a total stretch of over 3,200 km from Texas to New England throughout the weekend.
The number of people affected by power outages surged due to ice accumulation causing widespread damage in the southern regions. Hundreds of thousands may be without electricity, with some potentially waiting several days as heavy ice buildup causes power lines and trees to break and fall.
Many Americans rushed to clear supermarket shelves after the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasted heavy snow in some areas and possible ice accumulation from freezing rain at levels that could be classified as a “severe disaster.”
Sean Duffy, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, warned that up to 240 million Americans could be impacted by this storm. At least 21 states and Washington D.C., the nation’s capital, have declared emergencies. Meanwhile, over 13,000 flights from Saturday through Monday (26 Jan) have been canceled.
In Dallas, Texas, freezing rain heavily battered the city, causing temperatures to plunge to -6 degrees Celsius.
John Whitmire, mayor of Houston—the fourth most populous city in the country—urged residents to stay indoors for the next 72 hours and announced that temporary shelters will be opened to assist those in need.
Texas officials confirmed that the state’s power grid is in a better condition than five years ago, when a severe winter storm caused system failures resulting in deaths and millions losing power.
Snow also struck Oklahoma and Arkansas. The NWS reported that some areas have accumulated up to 15 centimeters of snow on the ground.
After impacting the southwestern and central U.S., the storm system is expected to move into the Atlantic coastal states in the central and northeastern parts of the country, which are densely populated. This will be followed by an influx of extremely cold air, causing snow and sleet to persist into next week.
The U.S. federal government has preemptively announced office closures for Monday.
This severe winter storm is caused by the expansion of the “polar vortex,” a low-pressure cold air mass originating from the Arctic. Normally this system forms a tight circular pattern, but at times it elongates into an oval shape, allowing frigid air to surge across North America.
Scientists note that increased variability of the polar vortex may be linked to climate change, although this remains inconclusive, and natural climate variability also plays a role.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to stay indoors amid the bitter cold, stating, “Being outside for just 5 or 6 minutes can genuinely be harmful to your health.”
She also emphasized preventive measures such as protecting water pipes from freezing, using heaters safely, and checking on vulnerable neighbors.
Authorities warned that dangerously cold conditions could last for another week after the storm passes, especially across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, where combined wind chill temperatures may drop to -45 degrees Celsius, the lowest in recorded history.
Temperatures at this level can cause frostbite within minutes.
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Source:cna