Snow blanketed roads and highways from Kansas to Tennessee, tens of thousands of customers lost power in Texas and millions of Americans girded for freezing temperatures on Saturday as a severe winter storm began its cold march across much of the United States.
The storm was expected to stretch through the weekend and into next week. Snowfall had begun in several states, including Oklahoma and Arkansas, and was forecast to reach up to Maine. The National Weather Service also warned of ice accumulation because of freezing rain. The icy conditions could affect large portions of the South and Mid-Atlantic, with forecasters warning of “catastrophic impacts,” including long power outages and impassable roads.
Before the storm, much of America made frenzied preparations for a weekend of intense winter weather. Government officials urged people to stay home over nearly half the nation. At least 18 states and the District of Columbia have declared states of emergency. Airlines canceled thousands of weekend flights. In Canada, forecasters warned that in some areas the extreme cold could cause frostbite within minutes.
The storm is forecast to plow east, reaching New York, Washington and other major East Coast cities by Sunday. Its dangerous mix of ice, heavy snow and extreme cold could leave millions stuck inside for days.
Here’s what we’re covering:
-
Salt shortage: Cities in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and elsewhere were having a hard time replenishing their diminished supplies of rock salt, which could make roads even more hazardous. Pittsburgh’s mayor suggested that unusually high demand from Southern cities was partially to blame. Read more ›
-
Varied forecast: The storm was expected to start with a mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow blanketing Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas on Saturday. Ice is predicted across much of the storm’s southern portion, with snow farther north. Extreme cold will continue into next week. Read more ›
-
Travel impacts: Airlines canceled thousands of flights as snow and ice began falling on Saturday, and were expected to cancel thousands more on Sunday. The majority of the cancellations were in and out of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, one of the country’s busiest. Read more ›
-
Power concerns: Electricity providers along the storm’s path warned people to be prepared for long outages. In Texas, where power failed during a 2021 storm, state officials said they expected the grid to withstand the cold. Read more ›
