OKLAHOMA CITY, Jan 24 (AP) — Thousands of flights across the United States were canceled over the weekend as a massive winter storm swept across large parts of the country, bringing heavy snow, ice, freezing rain, and dangerously cold temperatures.
More than 140 million people — over 40% of the U.S. population — were under winter storm warnings stretching from New Mexico to New England, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Forecasters warned that the storm, expected to last through Monday, could cause prolonged disruptions due to slow-melting ice and sustained freezing temperatures.
“The snow and the ice will be very slow to melt and won’t be going away anytime soon,” said Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist with the NWS. “That’s going to hinder recovery efforts.”
President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations for at least a dozen states, with more anticipated. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pre-positioned supplies, staff, and search-and-rescue teams in multiple states, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, urging residents to stay home if possible.
Power Outages and Ice Damage
The storm caused widespread power outages, particularly in the South. Around 120,000 customerswere without electricity on Saturday, including nearly 50,000 each in Texas and Louisiana, according to poweroutage.us.
In Shelby County, Texas, ice-laden pine trees snapped under the weight, downing power lines and blocking roads. Nearly one-third of the county’s residents lost power.
Similar damage was reported in Louisiana, where ice-covered trees fell onto roads and homes, authorities said.
Air Travel Disrupted Nationwide
Air travel was severely affected, with about 13,000 flights canceled nationwide on Saturday and Sunday, according to FlightAware.
All flights were canceled at Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City, while Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport, a major U.S. hub, saw more than 700 departing flights canceled on Saturday alone. Major disruptions were also reported at airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.
States Brace for Historic Ice and Snow
Officials in Georgia warned residents to stay off roads for at least 48 hours, calling the storm potentially the state’s largest ice event in more than a decade.
“Ice is a whole different ballgame than snow,” said Will Lanxton, Georgia’s senior state meteorologist. “It’s much more likely to bring down power lines and trees.”
After impacting the South, the storm was forecast to move into the Northeast, dumping 1 to 2 feet of snow from Washington, D.C., through New York and Boston.
Extreme Cold Hits the Midwest
The Midwest endured brutal cold, with wind chills plunging to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In Rhinelander, Wisconsin, temperatures reached their lowest level in nearly 30 years.
Cities activated emergency cold-weather measures as nonprofit groups worked to protect unhoused residents from life-threatening conditions.
Events, Schools, and Celebrations Canceled
The storm forced widespread closures and cancellations. Mardi Gras parades in Louisiana were postponed, churches moved services online, and the Grand Ole Opry performed without a live audience. Schools in cities including Philadelphia and Houston announced closures, and several universities across the South canceled Monday classes.
Despite the dangers, some residents took advantage of the snowfall, sledding and gathering outdoors where conditions allowed.
Meteorologists said the storm is notable both for its vast geographic reach — spanning nearly 2,000 miles — and the extreme cold expected to follow, raising concerns about prolonged impacts across much of the country.
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