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Historic winter storm blasts millions across U.S.
A massive winter storm set the stage for a brutal travel day Sunday, with airlines warning of widespread cancellations and delays at some of the nation’s busiest airports. Widespread snow, sleet and freezing rain threatened nearly 180 million people — more than half the U.S. population — in a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains to New England, the National Weather Service said Saturday night.
A big winter storm dumped sleet, freezing rain and snow across much of the U.S. over the weekend, paralyzing air and road traffic while sending temperatures plunging.
The storm brought snow, sleet and ice from Texas to New England. Here’s a look at the outcomes:
Weekend winter storm
People walk the streets in near whiteout conditions on January 25, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. A massive winter storm is bringing frigid temperatures, ice, and snow to nearly 200 million Americans. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
Big picture view:
At least 182 million people were under watches or warnings for ice and snow, and more than 210 million were under cold weather advisories or warnings. In many places those overlapped.
Tens of thousands of flights were disrupted, and hundreds of thousands of customers were without power.
The top snow total was 23.3" in New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and the top ice total was 1.0" in Oxford, Mississippi, according to FOX Weather.
At least 13 weather-related deaths have been reported, according to The Associated Press.
Total snow today
By the numbers:
Some notable areas with high snowfall from the weekend include:
- Bonito Lake, New Mexico: 31"
- Crested Butte, Colorado: 23"
- New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania: 23"
- Central Park: 11.4"
- Washington, D.C.: 5.1"
Of note:
States not included do not have preliminary storm totals yet from the Weather Prediction Center.
Dig deeper:
Dozens of states saw several inches of snow from the massive weekend storm, including southern states not used to winter weather.
Parts of Arkansas saw up to 12" of snow (Witts Springs, Siloam Springs and Mount Nebo State Park), and Tennessee saw 5" in Millington, Bradford and Alamo. Texas also got 7-10" in some areas.
RELATED: Deep freeze following North Georgia ice storm brings single digit wind chills
Sleet and freezing rain
Big picture view:
Sleet and freezing rain accumulated for several states in the south as well.
By the numbers:
Arkansas and Louisiana saw the most sleet - over 6" in some spots, according to the National Weather Service. Mississippi and Tennessee saw 5" in some spots.
North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia all saw sleet as well.
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina all saw about 1.0" of freezing rain in some spots. Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas all saw freezing rain accumulation as well.
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Winter storm causes widespread power outages
A deadly and historic winter storm has caused widespread power outages across the United States.
Cold temperatures
Meanwhile:
Many in the Midwest, South and Northeast awakened Monday to subzero weather.
The entire Lower 48 states were forecast to have their coldest average low temperature since January 2024 – of minus 9.8 F.
The Source: Information in this article was taken from the National Weather Service and FOX Weather. Background information was taken from The Associated Press. This story was reported from Detroit.