Massive Winter Storm Sweeps Across United States, Affecting Over 160 Million
A significant and powerful winter storm began its sweep across much of the United States on Saturday, placing more than 160 million Americans in its path. The system is delivering a dangerous mix of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, with the National Weather Service warning of potential widespread and extended power outages, major travel disruptions, and hazardous conditions.
States of Emergency Declared as Storm Intensifies
In anticipation of the severe weather, at least 16 states along with Washington DC have declared states of emergency. The US National Weather Service confirmed on Saturday morning that the storm is "underway," with precipitation already impacting south-central regions of the country. Forecasters have emphasised the seriousness of the situation, urging the public to take necessary precautions.
Catastrophic Ice Accumulation and Heavy Snow Forecast
The NWS has issued warnings of "catastrophic ice accumulation" stretching from the southern plains to the mid-Atlantic and south-east. Areas expecting freezing rain amounts exceeding half an inch, with totals potentially surpassing one inch in parts of northern Louisiana, central and northern Mississippi, southern Tennessee, and the southern Appalachians, are at particular risk.
Heavy snow is predicted across a vast area from the southern Rockies and plains through the mid-Atlantic and into the north-east throughout the weekend. Snowfall totals are likely to exceed 12 inches across the Ohio valley, mid-Atlantic, and north-east. Widespread freezing rain and sleet are also forecast for the southern plains, the lower Mississippi valley, the Tennessee valley, and the south-east.
Power Outages and Travel Disruptions Already Evident
As of Saturday morning, approximately 80,000 customers were without power nationwide, according to data from PowerOutage.us, with Texas accounting for 32,500 of those outages. The NWS had previously stated that power outages "are certain for some," especially in areas where heavy ice accumulates on trees and power lines.
The storm has severely disrupted air travel, with more than 9,000 flights within, into, or out of the US cancelled for Saturday and Sunday, as reported by Flight Aware. State officials, including Kentucky's Governor Andy Beshear, have urged residents to avoid travel. Governor Beshear warned that the storm is "moving through" Kentucky, with areas expecting up to 15 inches of snow, ice accumulation, and dangerously cold temperatures.
Political Response and Coordination Efforts
Former President Donald Trump commented on the impending severe weather via his Truth Social platform on Friday night. He stated he had been "briefed on the Record Cold Wave and Historic Winter Storm that will be hitting much of the United States this weekend" and claimed coordination between his administration and state and local officials. He also declared the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) "fully prepared to respond," a statement made less than a month after reports surfaced that his administration had drafted plans to cut thousands of FEMA staff.
Regional Impacts and Ongoing Warnings
Snowfall was already being reported on Saturday morning across parts of the plains, the south, and the midwest, including areas of Oklahoma, Iowa, Tennessee, Kansas, Texas, and Missouri. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani indicated the city is forecast to receive between three and 16 inches of snow over the weekend.
Following the storm's passage, communities from the southern plains to the north-east are expected to face "bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills." The NWS continues to stress the severity of the storm, reiterating its Friday warning for Americans to "take this storm seriously" as conditions develop and potentially worsen across the nation.
