Folks stroll on an ice coated seaside alongside the shore of Lake Michigan, Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Chicago.
Kiichiro Sato/AP
disguise caption
toggle caption
Kiichiro Sato/AP
A strong winter storm has begun slowly carving its means throughout the japanese two-thirds of the U.S., probably bringing a mixture of heavy snow, harmful ice and bitterly chilly temperatures from New Mexico to New England.
Greater than 30 states had been below a Nationwide Climate Service watch, warning or advisory as of Saturday morning. NWS forecasters had been notably involved about freezing rain and ice, warning that “catastrophic ice accumulations are anticipated from the Southern Plains to the Southeast/Mid-Atlantic.”
“Every time we see these large ice occasions, we’ll see varied hazards; clearly bridges and overpasses being frozen over, and with timber and varied various things that would fall into the roadways or probably fall on homes,” stated Nicholas Value, an NWS meteorologist in Texas.
Journey may also be severely affected with over 8,000 flights cancelled throughout the U.S. this weekend.
Reporters from throughout the NPR Community are overlaying the storm in every state — the affect and the way officers are responding. We have additionally received suggestions for deciphering completely different climate notices, defending your dwelling or automobile forward of time, and for staying secure as soon as the storm hits.
First, some recommendation from previous chilly blasts:
- The type of chilly the U.S. is experiencing this weekend might be harmful and even lethal. Listed below are some precautions to take if you must go outdoors.
- Animals are also in danger when out within the chilly for extended durations. Take further care to maintain them heat within the chilly climate.
Alabama
- Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency for 19 northern counties forward of the storm.
- “In Alabama, we are not any stranger to Mom Nature,” Ivey stated. “Nevertheless, relating to winter climate, we aren’t as acquainted. So, as we head into this weekend, I’m urging my fellow Alabamians, particularly within the northern a part of our state, to remain climate conscious.”
Arkansas
- Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency Thursday.
- Arkansas Division of Transportation spokesperson Dave Parker warned that this method is not like winter storms that sometimes blow via the area and can make it “a really troublesome battle” to clear roads.
Robust winds kick up snow in Lowville, New York, on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.
Cara Anna/AP
disguise caption
toggle caption
Cara Anna/AP
Connecticut
- Gov. Ned Lamont activated the state’s Extreme Chilly Climate Protocol, which helps individuals discover shelter area and supply transportation to shelters.
- Elements of the state may get greater than a foot of snow. “That is the actual McCoy,” Lamont stated. He added that some 650 plows and 900 drivers in addition to 250 utility crews are prepared to reply.
Georgia
- Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency on Thursday. His emergency order permits for 500 Georgia Nationwide Guard troops to be deployed as wanted. It additionally “prohibits worth gouging; suspends hours-of-service limitations for business automobile operators concerned in response actions; and quickly will increase weight, peak, and size limits for business autos transporting important provides.”
- The College of Georgia urged college students to return dwelling after their lessons Friday.
Indiana
Kentucky
- The Nationwide Climate Service says central and japanese Kentucky may get probably the most snow they’ve seen in 10 years.
- Within the metropolis of Lexington, the storm “will greater than seemingly take its place among the many high ten” since 1887, says Emergency Administration Director Rob Larkin.
- Intervals of heavy sleet are predicted to hit western Kentucky with freezing rain blended in, together with some sleet accumulation and as much as a mild glaze of freezing rain.
- Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency.
- The top of the Kentucky Emergency Administration company stated the Nationwide Guard and different personnel stand able to clear roads and assist present shelter to those that want it.
- Kentucky Utilities has an instantaneous textual content and name alert service to tell clients about outages.
- In Fayette County, the nonprofit group Camp Hero is providing free rides for healthcare staff from Saturday afternoon via Monday.
Louisiana
- Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday declared a state of emergency, which his workplace says “prompts the State’s emergency response and restoration program, permitting for direct state help to help operational measures on the parish degree.”
- Within the northern metropolis of Monroe, Mayor Friday Ellis declared a state of emergency.
Maine
- Temperatures in elements of the state may drop as little as -20 levels.
- “Most likely the coldest temperatures are going to be seen up north and throughout the Western Maine mountains,” stated Steven Baron, a meteorologist in Grey.
Maryland
Unhoused particular person Minyon McClure carries propane and different provides from the Orange Tent Mission nonprofit throughout dangerously chilly temperatures Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Chicago.
Erin Hooley/AP
disguise caption
toggle caption
Erin Hooley/AP
Massachusetts
Missouri
- The Kansas Metropolis metro is below a winter storm warning.
- The St. Louis area, is below a winter storm watch till midday Sunday. Gov. Mike Kehoe has declared a state of emergency.
- The storm comes amid an already very chaotic local weather 12 months for St. Louis.
- St. Louis is piloting a brand new plowing protocol and including emergency beds forward of extreme climate. Streets Division Director James Jackson stated town goals to have all predominant roadways open in 48 to 72 hours.
- As precipitation begins to fall, the Missouri Division of Transportation’s crew can be totally deployed throughout the state, “3,000 people working two shifts a day till that is again to close regular situations.” Further Disaster Chilly Climate Shelters can be open this weekend.
- Bonus: St. Louis Public Radio has a recipe advice that will help you heat up within the chilly.
Nebraska
- Dozens of college districts throughout the state heeded the warnings and canceled Friday lessons, together with Ainsworth within the Panhandle to Ord in central Nebraska and Lincoln Public Faculties and Omaha Public Faculties.
- A number of cities, together with Lincoln and Omaha, are activating warming facilities for individuals looking for a reprieve from the frigid temperatures.
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Public Radio has sources for locating shelters and staying secure because the state braces for excessive chilly.
New York
North Carolina
- Forward of a winter storm, Gov. Josh Stein is warning North Carolinians to remain off the roads over the weekend. They need to additionally put together to go with out energy for just a few days as ice-laden tree limbs threaten to pull down energy strains.
- NCDOT crews are presently brining roads, however officers stated journey will turn into extraordinarily hazardous Saturday evening via early subsequent week.
- Nationwide Climate Service Meteorologist Tom Inexperienced says the precipitation shifting into the Piedmont on Saturday might start as snow, however that may change: “As issues find yourself evolving Saturday night and Saturday evening, we’re anticipating that that may seemingly transition to a interval of sleet and freezing rain.”
For extra suggestions and sources in North Carolina, head to WNCW.
Ohio
- The Nationwide Climate Service predicts eight inches to a foot of snow in central Ohio this weekend. Forecasters urge individuals to run errands and replenish on provides earlier than Saturday afternoon, when the snow is anticipated to start.
- As extraordinarily chilly temperatures grip Northeast Ohio, emergency medical doctors are warning that frostbite can develop quicker than many mother and father notice, particularly in youngsters.
- “Thirty minutes or much less sometimes is on a regular basis that is required to develop frostbite in uncovered people when the windchill is close to zero,” stated MetroHealth emergency doctor Dr. Jeremiah Escajeda. She advises dressing youngsters in layers, maintaining extremities coated and altering out of moist clothes.
Jim Matthess, left, and Morgan McLuckie with the Orange Tent Mission nonprofit arrange a propane heater for an unhoused particular person throughout dangerously chilly temperatures Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, in Chicago.
Erin Hooley/AP
disguise caption
toggle caption
Erin Hooley/AP
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia colleges can be closed on Monday as Mayor Cherelle Parker introduced town can be below a snow emergency starting 9 p.m. Saturday.
- Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor stated he is “anticipating the worst” from the storm, which is projected to drop between 9-14 inches of snow on the world. He is ready to name in extra contractors and haulers to cope with the snow. The weekend storm is on monitor to be probably the most vital winter storm in Pittsburgh in 5 years, and presumably as many as 15.
- “We’ll be on the northwest fringe of this storm monitor the place the heavy snow can be occurring,” NWS meteorologist Chris Leonardi stated of Pittsburgh.
- Central Pennsylvania may also see double-digit snowfall and chilly temperatures.
Tennessee
- The Metropolis of Memphis instructed residents to plan for harmful journey, potential energy outages, and disruptions to water service.
- Climate forecasters are presently monitoring the potential for ice accumulation, which poses a larger hazard than snow and can’t be successfully cleared by snow plows.
Texas
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued catastrophe declarations Thursday for greater than 130 counties forward of a winter freeze anticipated to brush into the state, bringing days of subfreezing temperatures and the prospect of ice or snow. Native officers within the Austin space have additionally supplied particular updates.
- Emergency operations are activated and alerts have gone out for areas just like the Hill Nation and Boerne.
- Electrical energy suppliers are making ready for outages.
- KUT has tips about what to replenish on in your house, methods to prep your automobile for excessive climate, and hyperlinks for the place to get up-to-date Texas climate data.
- Forward of the winter freeze, volunteers documented Tarrant County’s homeless inhabitants. The census is at all times taken over the last 10 days of January, however this 12 months, climate was a much bigger focus than traditional.
- Grocery shops within the Houston space are bracing for a spike in demand resulting from panic shopping for. “Our telephones are ringing off the hook,” stated Jim Stratton, a retailer proprietor in Houston Heights.
- Winter climate may have an effect on turnout for the particular election runoff within the 18th Congressional District.
For extra sources in Texas, head to Houston Public Media or Texas Public Radio or KERA Information.
Vermont
- In some elements of Vermont, the Nationwide Climate Service forecasts wind chills as little as -40 levels. A lot of the state is below an excessive chilly watch.
- Seven excessive chilly climate shelter places can be open over the weekend. Most are a part of a state-funded community of overflow shelters that activate when temperatures fall into the negatives.
Virginia
- Gov. Abigail Spanberger issued an emergency declaration and stated the Commonwealth has already mobilized sources and response efforts. However she stated it can take time for state companies to clear roads within the coming days and requested individuals to remain dwelling.
- Central Virginia, particularly Richmond and Charlottesville, has upped its sources to arrange.
West Virginia
- Gov. Patrick Morrisey has declared a state of preparedness for each county, a transfer that enables the state’s Emergency Administration Division to get workers and gear prepared.
