A powerful winter storm is set to sweep across a huge portion of the United States this weekend, bringing heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain and dangerously cold temperatures, meteorologists warn. The storm’s reach stretches from New Mexico and Texas all the way to parts of the South and New England, with an estimated 245 million people across 40 states potentially affected.
Emergency disaster declarations have already been issued in at least 18 states, including Texas, New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Virginia. Washington, D.C., has also declared a state of emergency as officials brace for widespread disruptions.
Weather experts say the scale and intensity of the storm are unusual. “It’s rare to see this much snow, ice, and bitter cold combine over such a vast area,” said Evan Myers of AccuWeather. He warned that the storm could bring daily life to a standstill for several days across large parts of the central and eastern U.S.
The mix of snow and ice raises the risk of power outages, hazardous road conditions, and major travel delays, along with school closures. The National Weather Service cautioned that once the storm passes, frigid temperatures will linger, slowing cleanup efforts and extending infrastructure damage and dangerous travel conditions into early next week.
Air travel has already taken a major hit, with more than 9,500 flights across the U.S. canceled this weekend as airlines scramble to deal with the severe weather.
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