Massive winter storm spreads ice, snow and power outages as dangerous cold sets in across the U.S.
A sprawling winter storm pushed from the South toward New England, leaving tens of thousands without power, snarling roads, and disrupting air travel with thousands of cancellations and delays. Forecasters warned that the worst impacts could linger into Monday, with heavy snow in parts of the Northeast and potentially severe ice from the Lower Mississippi Valley into the Southeast.
A massive winter storm continued Sunday, January 25, 2026, dumping snow, sleet and freezing rain across a broad swath of the United States and bringing frigid temperatures, widespread power outages and treacherous travel conditions. The National Weather Service warned the storm would keep moving through Monday, followed by very low temperatures that could leave dangerous ice and infrastructure impacts in place for days even after the heaviest precipitation moves on.
Power outages and bitter cold
Utilities reported extensive outages across multiple states as ice and heavy precipitation weighed down lines. By Sunday morning, more than 100,000 customers were without electricity in both Tennessee and Texas, with tens of thousands more affected in Mississippi and Louisiana. Officials in multiple areas urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, check on vulnerable neighbors and prepare for prolonged cold as crews worked in difficult conditions.
Roads turn hazardous as ice expands
While snowfall drew attention in many regions, forecasters emphasized that ice would be a key threat in parts of the South and into the Mid-Atlantic. Ice can quickly make roads impassable, increase crash risk and slow emergency response. In addition to slick pavement, the combination of freezing rain and wind can damage trees and power lines, complicating restoration efforts and prolonging outages.
Air travel disrupted nationwide
Airports and airlines faced widespread disruption as the storm’s footprint stretched across major population centers. Flight-tracking data showed more than 10,000 flights canceled and thousands more delayed, leaving travelers scrambling for seats on later departures. Airlines advised customers to check flight status frequently and to use online tools where possible as phone lines and airport counters grew crowded.
Emergency declarations and federal response
President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations for at least a dozen states as the storm intensified, and federal agencies began staging resources to assist local responders. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said FEMA pre-positioned supplies, staff and search-and-rescue teams in multiple states, aiming to shorten response times where the storm produced the worst damage.
What happens next
Forecasters expected the storm to keep moving toward the Northeast, with heavy snow in some areas and the risk of significant icing elsewhere. Officials urged people to monitor local alerts, allow extra time for essential travel, and plan for the possibility of extended power outages and dangerous wind chills. With temperatures dropping behind the storm, even small amounts of lingering moisture on roads could refreeze overnight, creating renewed hazards after plows and salt trucks pass.