Massive winter storm spreads ice and snow across much of the U.S., forcing cancellations and complicating power restoration

A wide-ranging winter storm battered large swaths of the United States on Sunday, January 25, 2026, dumping a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow that stretched roughly 2,000 miles from the Southwest into the Northeast. Meteorologists said the unusual reach of the system meant millions of people faced hazards at the same time: ice-coated roads and bridges, heavy snow bands, downed trees and lingering cold that can turn minor problems into prolonged emergencies.

The National Weather Service warned the most dangerous impacts would not end when the last flakes fall. In many regions, precipitation was expected to continue into Monday, followed by very low temperatures that would slow melting and keep surfaces slick. Forecasters highlighted the dual threat of heavy snow from the Ohio Valley to the Northeast and potentially “catastrophic” ice accumulation from parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley through portions of the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

Power outages climbed toward the high hundreds of thousands nationwide, with some states seeing the worst of the damage as ice loaded branches and lines. Officials cautioned that restoration could take longer than usual because crews must work around fallen limbs, icy access roads and subfreezing temperatures that complicate repairs and create risks for workers. Even areas that avoided the heaviest snow were still threatened by freezing rain that can quickly turn highways into skating rinks.

Travel disruption was widespread. Flight trackers showed thousands of cancellations and delays as major hubs in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic dealt with rapidly changing conditions. Airports posted long boards of canceled departures, and travelers were urged to check status before leaving for terminals. On the roads, emergency managers in multiple states repeated a familiar message: if you do not have to travel, stay put—because the combination of ice, low visibility and stranded vehicles can turn routine drives into multi-hour rescues.

Public officials issued a mix of emergency orders, school changes and requests for voluntary conservation to reduce strain on local systems. In some places, leaders pushed remote learning plans to keep buses off the roads. At the federal level, emergency declarations were approved for a growing list of states, and FEMA positioned staff and supplies in advance of the storm’s peak, aiming to shorten response times once conditions allowed.

The storm also revived concerns about cold exposure, particularly for people without reliable heat. City officials in some areas reported deaths during the frigid lead-up to the snow and urged residents to use warming centers, check on neighbors and avoid unsafe heating methods. Authorities warned that carbon monoxide poisoning remains a major post-storm risk when people run generators or grills in enclosed spaces.

Forecasters emphasized that the next phase—deep cold behind the system—could be as consequential as the precipitation itself. With temperatures expected to drop across much of the eastern two-thirds of the country, ice will remain locked in place, and even treated roads can refreeze overnight. Officials urged drivers to assume bridges and overpasses will be worse than surrounding pavement and to keep extra blankets, water and phone chargers in their cars in case they become stranded.