Winter Storm Fern spreads east, grounding flights and straining power grids across the U.S.
A major winter storm sweeping from the Plains toward the East Coast is bringing snow, sleet, and dangerous ice, disrupting travel and leaving large areas under emergency alerts as utilities brace for outages and prolonged cold.
A fast-moving storm with nationwide disruption
Winter Storm Fern continued to push across wide sections of the United States over the weekend, expanding the zone of hazardous travel and forcing public agencies and utilities to prepare for prolonged cold, heavy snow, and damaging ice. Forecasts and advisories covered a massive multi-region corridor, spanning parts of the Plains, South, Midwest, and into areas that typically see more manageable winter weather, turning routine weekend travel into a logistics problem for airlines, roads, and emergency responders. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/winter-storm-moves-across-us?utm_source=openai))
The storm’s character varies by region: heavy snow in some areas, sleet and freezing rain in others, and in the most vulnerable corridors, a glaze of ice capable of downing trees and power lines. Officials have repeatedly warned that even modest ice accumulation can produce cascading effects—traffic pileups, blocked highways, delayed ambulances, and widespread power interruptions—especially when temperatures remain below freezing for days. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/winter-storm-moves-across-us?utm_source=openai))
Flights canceled, highways slowed, and outages rising
Air travel has been one of the earliest pressure points, with thousands of cancellations and delays rippling through hub airports and spreading into secondary markets as crews and aircraft are displaced. On the ground, road conditions deteriorated rapidly in ice-prone states, with transportation departments urging drivers to stay off roads unless travel is essential. Utility providers also reported mounting outages as precipitation froze on lines and equipment, while demand for heating increased. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/winter-storm-moves-across-us?utm_source=openai))
Emergency declarations and public safety messaging intensified as the storm expanded. Authorities in multiple jurisdictions emphasized that “short trips” can turn dangerous when visibility drops and black ice forms unexpectedly, and they encouraged residents to keep basic supplies on hand in case homes lose power or roads become impassable. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/winter-storm-moves-across-us?utm_source=openai))
Cold-related danger and the public health risk
Beyond transportation and power, the most serious threat is exposure to extreme cold, particularly for people without reliable heat, those experiencing homelessness, and residents in areas unaccustomed to sustained freezes. Officials have urged communities to use warming centers where available and to check on neighbors, especially older adults and anyone with medical needs that depend on electricity. Reports of deaths linked to severe cold conditions underscore how quickly winter emergencies can become life-threatening. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/winter-storm-moves-across-us?utm_source=openai))
Forecasters expect the storm’s impacts to evolve as it progresses east, with snowfall totals and ice bands shifting by county and by hour. Emergency management agencies are asking travelers to monitor local alerts, avoid nonessential driving, and plan for knock-on disruptions that can persist even after precipitation ends—like refreezing roads overnight and the time required to restore damaged power infrastructure. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/winter-storm-moves-across-us?utm_source=openai))