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Over 1,470 flights on Saturday have already been canceled across the country ahead of the storm.
Kate Murphy, Mike Bebernes
Updated Fri, January 23, 2026 at 8:43 AM PST
A major winter storm is forecast to bring heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and frigid temperatures to a massive swath of the United States stretching all the way from New Mexico and Texas to parts of New England and the South starting on Friday and continuing through the weekend, according to meteorologists. More than 230 million Americans are expected to be impacted by what is likely to be one of the most significant storms of this winter season.
Major metro areas in the storm’s path include Dallas and Austin in Texas, Oklahoma City, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, forecasters say.
Impacts from the snow and ice could cause power outages, widespread travel shutdowns and school closures. On Friday, over 400 flights across the country were canceled, with over 900 delayed. Ahead of the storm, over 1,470 flights have already been canceled within, into, or out of the U.S., with over 560 delayed on Saturday.
Following the storm, frigid temperatures will prolong the impacts of the snow and ice. “Potentially hundreds of thousands of people may go without electricity and heat for days,” AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.
Various forms of winter storm advisories and warnings have been issued for more than 168 million people, from Arizona to New York and as far south as Texas, according to the National Weather Service. The agency advises "preparations should be completed as soon as possible, and forecasts closely monitored for updates."
- Kate Murphy
D.C. mayor issues state of emergency ahead of the storm
Washington, D.C., is forecast to get 6 to 10 inches of snow this weekend, according to meteorologists. Mayor Muriel Bowser said during a Friday news conference that the storm will bring the "largest snowfall we've seen in a long time," which is why she has declared a snow emergency and a state of emergency. Bowser said she had requested support from the D.C. National Guard so that first responders can more easily get around the city.
- Kate Murphy
NYC will staff thousands of sanitation workers to plow streets, spread salt this weekend
New York City's preparations for this weekend's winter storm include staffing 2,000 sanitation workers and using 700 salt spreaders, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said during a news conference on Friday.
He said that the sanitation department started brining highways and major roadways this morning to make it harder for ice to form and snow to stick.
Starting Saturday evening, more than 2,000 sanitation workers will begin 12-hour shifts, spreading salt on roads as soon as it starts snowing, using 700 salt spreaders. When about 2 inches of snow accumulates, 2,200 plows will activate across the city, likely on Sunday morning.
Mamdani added that a special system can monitor plowing and salting in real time to ensure every community and neighborhood is taken care of.
The mayor also said a code blue was enacted on Thursday evening due to the forecast of snow and extreme cold. This allows homeless services outreach workers to canvas the five boroughs and bypass intake procedures to get people into shelters as quickly as possible.
Mamdani added that a snow day for New York City public schools was ruled out for Monday and that a decision will be made by noon on Sunday on whether students will have in-person or virtual learning. All activities for the NYC Public Schools Athletic League have been canceled for Sunday.
- Kate Murphy
Over 1,000 flights canceled ahead of winter storm
Heavy snow and ice from the impending winter storm will make travel difficult and dangerous, forecasters say. Over 1,460 flights have already been canceled within, into, or out of the U.S. for Saturday, according to FlightAware.com.
- Dylan Stableford
ICE protesters in Minneapolis are facing frigid temperatures
Organizers of a statewide protest against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota are planning a march and rally on Friday in Minneapolis, where the daytime high temperature is forecast to be -9°F.
“This is a bigger thing than the weather,” Larry Weiss, a resident planning to attend the demonstration, told NBC News. “They are trying to break us, and we are not going to be broken.”
Hundreds of businesses in the Minneapolis area were expected to be closed on Friday to take part in the “ICE out of Minnesota!” event, which begins at 2 p.m. local time in downtown Minneapolis.
- Dylan Stableford
New York governor declares state of emergency ahead of the storm
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency ahead of the storm, joining governors in more than a dozen states who have already done so.
"We are heading into a very, very dangerous weather event," Hochul said at a press conference in Albany on Friday. "This is a very dangerous combination of heavy snow and extreme, extreme cold temperatures."
The emergency declaration will allow the state to more closely coordinate with local officials and deploy resources into municipalities without delay, the governor said.
Hochul said she is particularly worried about wind chills, which are expected to drop as low as 40 degrees below zero in some parts of the state and could lead to frostbite and hypothermia.
"So bundle up," she said.
- Dylan Stableford
NWS: 'Catastrophic ice accumulations' in the South could lead to long power outages
The National Weather Service is predicting "a significant, long-duration winter storm, with widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies to New England, lasting from Friday through Monday."
Snowfall totals of 12 inches are "likely" across the Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic and Northeast, the weather service said in its latest forecast.
"In addition, widespread freezing rain and sleet are expected across the Southern Plains, the Lower Mississippi Valley, the Tennessee Valley, and the Southeast," the forecast said. "The storm will cause significant to locally catastrophic ice accumulations with the potential for long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel conditions."
- Dylan Stableford
Mamdani says NYC schools will not have a 'normal' snow day on Monday
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says that city schools will not have a traditional snow day on Monday, despite the forecast.
“It will not be a normal snow day,” Mamdani said in an interview with NY1 early Friday.
The mayor said that the city's public school students will either attend classes in person or via remote learning, and that a decision will be made by noon on Sunday.
According to the current National Weather Service forecast, New York City could receive 6 to 12 inches of snow through Monday.
- Mike Bebernes
Expert tips for keeping kids safe in extreme cold
Frigid winter weather poses a threat to everyone, but the risks can be even greater for young children. Yahoo Life spoke with experts who shared tips to help parents keep their kids safe during the upcoming storm.
Dr. Esther Liu, chair of pediatrics at the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center, said that the temperature alone shouldn’t be the only consideration when deciding whether to let kids play outdoors in the cold. Whether or not there’s precipitation is also extremely important.
“Getting wet will drop body temperature more because you lose more body heat through wet skin,” she said.
Dr. Tracy Butler, a pediatrician and medical director at Pediatrix Primary and Urgent Care of Colorado, said that parents should assume that their kids need to wear more warm clothing than grown-ups do. “Dress them in one more layer of clothing than an adult would wear in the same conditions,” she said.
Predetermined time limits for outdoor play, along with periodic “warmth checks,” can also help take the guesswork out of ensuring kids aren’t outside too long, Butler said. The experts also remind parents that they should remove their child’s winter coat before strapping them into their car seat so they can be tightly and safely buckled in.
- Mike Bebernes
Louisiana joins list of states to declare a state of emergency ahead of dangerous winter storm
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced on Thursday afternoon that he has signed a state of emergency declaration to give his government more flexibility to take steps to help protect the “life, safety and welfare of our citizens.”
"We are preparing for significant impacts across the state,” he said. “This is going to be bitterly cold Arctic air that unfortunately is going to linger around into next week.”
Landry added that a storm of this severity is almost certain to create power outages and warned that “it could be a while” before emergency crews will have the ability to restore power, particularly in rural areas of the state.
Georgia, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina are among the other states that have also declared a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm.
- Kate Murphy
Here's how to prepare your home, car and pets ahead of the massive winter storm
If you're feeling overwhelmed by what preparations to prioritize ahead of the winter storm, the National Weather Service says, "Your primary concerns at home or work during a winter storm are loss of heat, power and telephone service and a shortage of supplies if storm conditions continue for more than a day.”
For your home, stock up on nonperishable items, like granola bars or nuts, as well as family essentials like baby formula and pet food. Make sure you have an emergency heat source and that it's properly ventilated. Always run a gasoline-powered generator outside of the house and garage and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you absolutely must drive on the roads, make sure your gas tank is full or your car is fully charged. Be sure to take an emergency kit that includes a shovel, ice scraper and jumper cables, as well as a first aid kit, a phone charger, blankets, and extra food and water.
If you have to leave your home, be sure to pack a "go bag" with essential needs for your children and pets, including any medications or food.
Read more from Yahoo: A huge winter storm is coming. From your home to car to pets, here's how to prepare.
- Kate Murphy
National Weather Service provides latest update on frigid temperatures
The eastern two-thirds of the U.S. is going to get slammed with frigid temperatures from an Arctic front. Through Sunday, the Northern and Central Plains into the Northeast will experience sub-zero temperatures.
"Numerous record lows are expected," the National Weather Service Prediction Center said in an update.
The Northern Plains will see some of the coldest wind chills, which may fall below -50°F. Parts of the southeast, including the Mid-Atlantic, Mid-Mississippi Valley and Southern Plains, could experience sub-zero wind chills.
Here are the latest Key Messages on the dangerous wind chills and bitterly cold temperatures that will move across the Northern and Central Plains into Northeast over the next week! pic.twitter.com/IoRqXMc4Au
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 22, 2026
- Kate Murphy
Chicago Public Schools cancel classes on Friday due to extreme cold
Chicago Public Schools announced in a statement on Thursday that all classes and after-school activities, including athletic practices and games, are canceled for Friday, Jan. 23.
"We have been carefully monitoring the forecast over the past 24 hours and have determined that, given the frigid temperatures predicted for tomorrow and a National Weather Service Warning that wind chills could reach -35 degrees, it will be unsafe for staff and students to travel to school," the statement read.
CPS said that all activities will resume as scheduled on Saturday, Jan. 24.
- Kate Murphy
How to stay safe in extreme cold, according to the American Red Cross
Several states have issued warnings across the country as people brace themselves for heavy snow and crippling ice from the impending winter storm.
Yahoo spoke with the American Red Cross about how people should prepare for extreme winter weather.
Have items ready in your home like nonperishable food, drinking water, medications, blankets, warm clothing, charged cellphones and battery-powered lanterns and flashlights.
If you lose power and/or heat, only use generators, grills and camp stoves placed outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you absolutely have to go outdoors, try to keep as much of your skin covered as possible to avoid frostbite.
Read more from Yahoo: Are you prepared for a winter storm? Here's what the American Red Cross recommends — plus how to stay safe in extreme cold.
- Kate Murphy
Texas governor issues disaster declaration ahead of winter storm
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration on Thursday ahead of the winter storm that could bring a layer of freezing rain up to an inch thick in some parts of the state, making driving on slick roadways dangerous.
"Because of the severity of this storm, right now I am making a disaster declaration covering 134 counties across the state of Texas to make sure that every possible resource can be made available to them so they can respond quicker, faster and better," Abbott said at a news conference.
The governor said the state's power grid has "never been stronger, never been more prepared, and is fully capable of handling this winter storm." The state suffered from a deadly winter storm back in 2021, and the power grid, known as ERCOT, infamously failed, leaving millions of people without power in subfreezing temperatures.
He said if power outages occur, it is likely due to ice weighing down individual power lines.
Abbott also said the state Department of Safety and the state National Guard will be available to rescue people to the most appropriate place: their homes, warming centers or hospitals.
"The goal is to make it through with no loss of life," Abbott said.
- Kate Murphy
Major airlines issue travel waivers ahead of massive winter storm
Due to the heavy snow and crippling ice expected from this weekend's winter storm, thousands of flights are likely to be canceled across the U.S., according to AccuWeather.
Major U.S. airlines are issuing travel alerts and allowing customers affected by the storm to change certain flights without paying a fee.
American Airlines: change fees waived
Delta Airlines: change fees waived
Frontier Airlines: change and cancel fees waived
JetBlue: change, cancel and fare difference fees waived
Spirit Airlines: change and fare difference fees waived
Southwest Airlines: change fees waived
United Airlines: change fees and fare differences waived
- Kate Murphy
Winter storm prep: 7 ways to protect your home from extreme weather
The best way to prep before a winter storm is to have a plan in place and emergency supplies and gear at the ready.
Yahoo sought recommendations from experts at the American Red Cross and Frontdoor — a service that connects homeowners to skilled tradespeople — for the best products to keep you and your family safe and warm, and your home protected.
Here are some tips:
Build an emergency preparedness kit for your vehicle in case you get stranded
Seal off drafts
Wrap exposed piping
Clear drains and gutter downspouts
Have snow-removal gear on standby
Invest in alternative power sources
Read more from Yahoo: Winter storm prep: 7 genius ways to prepare your home for extreme weather
- Kate Murphy
Do trees really 'explode' in severe cold?
Extreme cold temperatures slamming parts of the U.S. this week have prompted warnings of "exploding trees" on social media, particularly from user Max Velocity, a self-described meteorologist, whose post has racked up over 11 million views since Tuesday night.
So, is it possible for trees to "explode" in extreme cold?
Kind of. A sudden drop in temperature can cause water or sap inside a tree to freeze and rapidly expand. Excessive pressure can cause the bark to split or the trunk to crack, resulting in what experts say is a frost crack. They can be loud and cause branches to fall off, but it's very rare for a tree to completely explode because of it.
Read more from USA Today: Are trees really exploding in the severe cold? Sort of.
- Kate Murphy
Will NYC public schools have a traditional snow day on Monday?
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani was asked during a Thursday news conference whether public schools would have a traditional snow day on Monday or require students to log on for virtual learning amid the impending snowstorm.
"As of now, we have not yet made a decision as to what Monday will be," Mamdani replied, adding that he is weighing the impacts and outcomes of any possible decision.
Anywhere from 8 to 16 inches of snow is expected in the region, including in New York City, according to preliminary forecasts.
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