Nation Faces ‘Extremely Dangerous’ Winter Storm as Preparations Continue

Sun Feb 01 2026 12:54:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A massive winter storm is projected to hit over 200 million Americans with heavy snow and freezing temperatures starting Friday, raising safety concerns and travel disruptions across the east coast.

A winter storm expected to impact more than 200 million Americans is unfolding, bringing heavy snow and sub-zero wind chills across multiple states. Transportation officials warn of disruptions, and states are declaring emergencies as they prepare for the storm's aggressive approach, which will blanket regions from the Rockies to the Northeast with potential snowfall exceeding a foot.

More than 200 million Americans are expected to face an unusually brutal winter storm starting Friday, with heavy snows and freezing rains forecast.

The storm is expected to sweep through much of the United States, leaving extremely dangerous conditions in its wake as it tracks eastwards from the High Plains and Rockies, the National Weather Service (NWS) said.

It warned that the Arctic blast will bring sub-zero temperatures and wind chills, which pose a life-threatening risk of hypothermia and frostbite to exposed skin.

US transportation officials, including airport authorities in several major cities, have warned of weekend travel disruption, delays and cancellations.

What is the storm's predicted path?

The winter storm is forecast to move slowly across the US, blanketing cities including Memphis, Nashville, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York with snow.

Heavy snow is predicted through the Southern Rockies and Plains, into the Mid-Atlantic and reaching the Northeast.

According to the NWS Probabilistic Precipitation Portal, the regions that could see more than a foot of snow stretch from Colorado to West Virginia to Boston.

Parts of northeast New Jersey and southeast New York, including New York City, could see between 10 and 14 inches of snow starting early on Sunday and lasting through Monday, the NWS predicts. And windchills as low as -10F (-23C) are expected for the same region.

Most of southern New England, including Boston, can expect between 12 and 17 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 30mph from Sunday into Monday, NWS says. Wind chill temperatures there could reach -15F (-26C) Friday into Saturday.

Numerous low temperature records are likely to be broken, with the coldest wind chills potentially falling below -50F (-46C) across the Northern Plains.

How are states preparing for the storm?

Governors in several US states have declared states of emergency, allowing emergency officials to mobilize response efforts. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the state has 1,600 snow plows and 114,000 tonnes of salt ready.

New Yorkers are urged to stock up on groceries and work from home if possible. Mayor Zohran Mamdani emphasized using operational subways and buses while encouraging residents to stay off the roads. Texas officials reported confidence in their power grid's stability as they faced freezing temperatures.

Airlines are offering flight changes to accommodate potential cancellations, and upwards of 8,000 flights have already been affected over the weekend.

Officials are recommending motorists avoid driving as conditions will become nearly impossible throughout the peak of the storm.

As this winter weather event unfolds, Canadians are also bracing for freezing temperatures and snowfall, with impacts expected in eastern regions next week.