Winter storm spreads: power outages climb and travel disruptions ripple across the U.S.
A major winter storm pushing snow, sleet and ice across a huge swath of the United States is triggering widespread power outages and snarling travel, forcing cancellations and emergency preparations as the system moves east.
A sprawling winter storm continued to intensify on Sunday, January 25, 2026, bringing heavy snow, freezing rain and dangerous travel conditions to communities across the United States. The storm’s footprint has been broad, with wintry precipitation and frigid temperatures affecting multiple regions and forcing officials to juggle road safety, power restoration and emergency shelter planning.
Power disruptions have become one of the most visible impacts. By the morning of January 25, the number of customers without electricity had surged into the hundreds of thousands, underscoring how quickly ice and wind can damage lines and equipment. Utilities in affected states said they were staging crews, prioritizing critical infrastructure and warning residents that restorations could take time where ice accumulation is severe.
Travel has also taken a hit. Airlines and rail services faced knock-on effects from snow-covered runways, de-icing delays and hazardous driving conditions for crews and passengers getting to terminals. Many travelers found themselves stuck with last-minute cancellations and rebookings, while highway agencies warned of rapidly changing conditions that can turn wet roads into sheets of ice.
Meteorologists cautioned that the danger is not limited to snowfall totals. Freezing rain can produce the highest-impact disruptions by coating roads and trees with ice, while temperature swings can cause refreezing overnight. Emergency managers urged residents to limit non-essential travel, keep phones charged, and prepare for potential multi-hour outages with basic supplies such as water, flashlights and blankets.
The storm’s scale has complicated responses because impacts vary block by block. Some areas are dealing with accumulating snow that requires plowing and salting, while others are contending with ice that can bring down branches and create unsafe conditions for line crews. Local officials emphasized the importance of monitoring alerts and checking on vulnerable neighbors, especially older adults and people who rely on electric medical devices.