Winter Storm Fern spreads ice, snow and outages across the U.S., disrupting travel
A sprawling winter storm, unofficially dubbed Winter Storm Fern, is pushing across large parts of the United States, bringing freezing rain, snow, and widespread disruption. Power outages and major flight cancellations are mounting as millions remain under winter weather warnings.
A fast-moving, high-impact winter system
A powerful winter storm continued advancing across the southern and eastern United States over the weekend, throwing travel and daily life into chaos. Forecasts and emergency alerts covered a huge swath of the country as sleet and freezing rain piled onto roads, power lines, and trees, while heavier snow bands expanded into parts of the Midwest and Ohio Valley.
Utility companies warned that ice accumulation can be more damaging than snow, because even modest layers of ice can bring down branches and lines. Grid operators monitored demand as temperatures fell sharply, with officials urging residents to avoid unnecessary driving and to prepare for interruptions in power and services.
Outages and flight cancellations surge
As the storm intensified, the number of customers without electricity rose into the hundreds of thousands in multiple states. Airlines also struggled to keep schedules intact: thousands of U.S. flights were canceled as major hubs faced hazardous conditions and ripple effects spread nationwide. Airports, road crews, and emergency management agencies leaned on pre-positioned resources, but warned the storm’s wide footprint made restoration and cleanup complex.
Authorities in several states issued emergency declarations to speed response efforts and to reinforce public messaging about staying off the roads. Officials emphasized that conditions could shift quickly from rain to ice, and that the most dangerous period often arrives before residents realize roads and bridges have become glazed.
What to watch next
Forecasters warned that the storm’s impacts will vary by region, with a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain expected along the system’s track. The key risks include extended power outages, dangerous wind chills, and disruptions to trucking and passenger travel. Emergency managers urged people to check on neighbors, charge devices when possible, and keep supplies on hand in case restoration takes longer than expected.
Even after the system moves through, lingering cold can slow repairs and keep untreated surfaces slick. Officials also warned that additional precipitation on top of ice can compound damage, raising the chance of downed trees and lines in hard-hit areas.