A long-running storm with multiple hazards
Winter Storm Fern expanded across wide sections of the United States on Sunday, January 25, 2026, pushing a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain from the South and Midwest toward the Northeast. Forecasters warned the storm’s footprint is unusually large and its impacts unusually persistent, with dangerous travel conditions expected to linger even after the heaviest precipitation ends. ([weather.com](https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2026-01-25-winter-storm-fern-south-northeast-snow-ice-storm-forecast/?utm_source=openai))
The Weather Channel said Fern is affecting roughly 220 million people, with winter alerts spanning major metro areas and long stretches of interstate corridors. In the South, the most disruptive threat is ice, which can rapidly bring down tree limbs and power lines and create near-impassable roads. ([weather.com](https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2026-01-25-winter-storm-fern-south-northeast-snow-ice-storm-forecast/?utm_source=openai))
Power outages and emergency response ramp up
Utilities across the storm zone reported widespread outages as icing intensified in parts of the Lower Mississippi Valley and the South. The Associated Press reported that tens of thousands of customers were without power across multiple states, and that the National Weather Service warned of potentially catastrophic ice accumulation in some areas. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/7ea143995026e68db42ed1b4aec396cb?utm_source=openai))
Federal and state emergency actions escalated as conditions worsened. According to the AP, President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations in at least a dozen states, and federal resources were deployed to assist local response efforts. Officials urged residents to avoid travel where possible, prepare for prolonged outages, and check on neighbors, especially those at higher risk from cold exposure. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/7ea143995026e68db42ed1b4aec396cb?utm_source=openai))
Air travel disruption and hazardous roads
Airlines and airports faced major disruption as the storm spread east. The AP reported thousands of flight cancellations and delays, reflecting both the weather near key hubs and the ripple effects of crew and aircraft displacement across the national network. On the ground, many communities contended with icy bridges, reduced visibility in heavier snow bands, and emergency closures. ([apnews.com](https://apnews.com/article/7ea143995026e68db42ed1b4aec396cb?utm_source=openai))
Meteorologists stressed that the storm’s impacts are not limited to snow totals. Strong icing potential, combined with a surge of colder air behind the system, increases the risk that outages and travel issues persist beyond the most intense precipitation. Communities were advised to treat the event as multi-day, with backup heating plans and enough supplies for several days. ([weather.com](https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2026-01-25-winter-storm-fern-south-northeast-snow-ice-storm-forecast/?utm_source=openai))