Winter Storm Threatens Eastern U.S. with Massive Snow and Ice

Mon Feb 02 2026 16:05:59 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Texas and Oklahoma are preparing for a severe winter storm that is expected to sweep across the eastern two-thirds of the United States, bringing heavy snow, ice, and potential power outages.

A major winter storm is poised to hit Texas and Oklahoma, prompting widespread preparations as forecasters warn of treacherous conditions, severe cold, and the potential for significant power outages. With over 160 million people under weather watches, the storm's impact is expected to broaden as it moves across the eastern U.S., potentially rivaling a hurricane in severity. Local emergency services and transportation departments are taking preemptive measures ahead of the storm's arrival.

DALLAS (AP) — Texas and Oklahoma braced for heavy snow and ice that could make roadways treacherous, with forecasts indicating this winter storm could lead to catastrophic damages and extensive power outages across the eastern U.S.

Utilities in the Houston area have mobilized thousands of workers while Oklahoma's Department of Transportation has pre-treated roads to mitigate hazardous conditions. Freezing rain and sleet are expected in New Mexico as the storm approaches.

The sprawling storm could bring a foot of snow from Oklahoma to Washington D.C., New York, and Boston, followed by dangerously low wind chills, with forecasts predicting readings as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the northern Midwest.

Forecasters are also cautioning that the ice could cause damage likened to hurricane conditions in worst-hit areas. Approximately 160 million individuals are under winter storm warnings, highlighting the storm’s extensive reach.

Cold air surging from Canada has already prompted school cancellations in Chicago and Des Moines due to predicted wind chills reaching dangerous extremes. Local authorities advise residents to stay indoors during the storm and prepare for possible loss of electricity as ice accumulation could weigh down power lines and trees.

North Carolina's largest public school system has advised staff to prepare for prolonged closures, while governors in several states, including Georgia and Mississippi, have declared states of emergency.

In anticipation of severe weather, locals have flocked to stores, depleting supplies as many anticipate the need for generators and other essentials. Early reports indicate significant shortages of staple goods like milk and bread.

The scope and severity of winter storms can be unpredictable, but as preparation continues across various states, residents are urged to remain vigilant and ready for any emergency arising from this winter weather system.