Winter Storm Fern spreads ice, outages and travel chaos across the U.S.
A sprawling winter system is pushing heavy snow and dangerous ice from the South and Midwest toward the Northeast, knocking out power and grounding flights as states declare emergencies and utilities brace for prolonged strain.
What’s happening
Winter Storm Fern is sweeping across a large swath of the United States, driving hazardous road conditions, widespread flight cancellations, and a growing risk of long-duration power outages as freezing rain and sleet accumulate on trees, lines and highways.
Forecasters warned of significant ice in parts of the Southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley, Tennessee Valley and the Southeast, while snow and strong winds were expected to intensify in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast as the system tracks east.
Why it matters
Ice storms can cripple infrastructure faster than snow: even moderate accretion can down limbs and lines, causing cascading outages and closing major interstates. Airlines and airports also face multi-day disruption as de-icing capacity and crews are stretched.
What to watch next
- Outage totals and restoration timelines as the cold lingers into early week
- Secondary impacts: water main breaks, supply disruptions, and school/business closures
- Rapidly shifting snow/ice lines that can change impacts city by city