Winter Storm Fern barrels across the U.S., triggering emergencies, outages and mass travel disruption
A sprawling winter storm—dubbed Winter Storm Fern by The Weather Channel—is sweeping from the Southern Plains toward the East, bringing heavy snow, ice and bitter cold. States have issued emergency declarations, utilities are battling outages, and airlines are canceling flights as forecasters warn conditions could worsen before the system exits the Northeast.
A major storm stretches from the Plains to the Northeast
A large winter storm system, widely referred to as “Winter Storm Fern,” has been moving across the United States since January 22, 2026, producing a long swath of snow, sleet and freezing rain from the Four Corners region through parts of the South and Midwest and toward the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Forecast guidance and early impacts show a storm with multiple hazards: heavy snow bands, significant icing in some corridors, dangerous road conditions, and a deep cold push behind the system.
The storm’s footprint is so wide that impacts are varying by region—some areas are dealing with snow-loaded roads and reduced visibility, while others are facing glaze ice that can down trees and power lines. Local officials and weather agencies have urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, prepare for power interruptions, and check on vulnerable neighbors as temperatures drop.
Emergencies, cancellations and cascading travel delays
Governors in multiple states have issued emergency declarations as the storm disrupts transportation networks. Airlines have canceled thousands of flights over the weekend, and airports in the storm corridor have warned travelers to expect rolling delays, de-icing operations, and missed connections. Major highway routes have also been affected by closures, jackknifed trucks, and multi-vehicle crashes as freezing precipitation spreads.
Travel disruption has been compounded by the storm’s timing and scale: with impacts expected to continue through January 26, many households are facing a multi-day window of hazardous driving and intermittent service interruptions. Authorities have recommended carrying emergency supplies in vehicles, charging devices ahead of time, and monitoring localized warnings that can change quickly as storm bands shift.
Power outages and infrastructure strain
Ice accumulation and heavy, wet snow have contributed to scattered outages, with utilities staging crews and coordinating mutual-aid responses. Even where totals are moderate, a thin layer of ice can create outsized impacts by pulling down branches and damaging lines. Officials have warned that restoration can take longer when conditions are still unsafe for bucket trucks or when roads are blocked by debris.
Emergency managers have emphasized practical steps for households: keep space heaters used safely and away from flammables, avoid running generators indoors, and keep extra blankets, water, and shelf-stable food available. Shelters and warming centers have been opened in some areas, particularly where low temperatures increase hypothermia risk during outages.
What to watch next
- Icing zones: even small shifts north or south can change the risk to power lines.
- Snow banding: narrow bands can rapidly increase totals and whiteout conditions.
- Post-storm cold: refreezing can create black ice, even after plows have passed.
Forecasters expect the storm to continue progressing eastward, with conditions gradually improving from west to east as the system exits. Officials continue to urge residents to follow local guidance and to treat travel conditions as potentially dangerous even after precipitation ends.