At a Glance
- Winter storm dumped up to a foot of snow across 1,300 miles, halting traffic and canceling flights.
- 213 million people were under winter weather warnings as temperatures plunged to 9.8 degrees, the coldest average low since January 2014.
- 12,000 flights were canceled and 20,000 delayed, while power outages left hundreds of thousands without electricity.
Why it matters: The storm’s scale and severity disrupted daily life, highlighted the vulnerability of infrastructure, and prompted emergency responses across the country.
The U.S. work week opened to a stark reminder of nature’s power. A colossal winter storm swept through the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast, unleashing deep snow, ice, and a cold snap that rattled the entire Lower 48. The storm’s reach was unprecedented, with impacts felt from Arkansas to New England.
Massive Winter Storm Blankets the Nation
The storm delivered over a foot of snow in a 1,300-mile swath, stopping traffic and forcing airlines to cancel flights. In some areas, up to two feet of snow was forecast, and the ice that followed left roads slick and power lines vulnerable. The storm’s heavy precipitation also triggered widespread power outages, with Tennessee and Mississippi among the hardest hit.
- 12,000 flights canceled across the country.
- 20,000 flights delayed.
- Hundreds of thousands of customers lost power.
The sheer volume of snow and ice forced major employers to adjust schedules. Caterpillar, a heavy-machinery manufacturer, told employees at its remanufacturing site in Corinth, Mississippi, to stay home on Monday and Tuesday.
Record Cold and Widespread Advisories
During the overnight hours of Sunday, the entire Lower 48 was forecast to experience the coldest average low temperature-9.8 degrees-since January 2014. The only factor keeping the average from dropping even further was record warmth in Florida.
National Weather Service advisories and extreme cold warnings were posted from Montana to the Florida Panhandle. Many locations dipped to zero (minus-18 °C) or colder, and wind chill made conditions even more severe. The overnight cold threatened to refreeze roads early Monday, a cruel echo of the weekend’s travel chaos.
Local Stories of Resilience
In Falmouth, Massachusetts, just an hour south of Boston, snow fell in sheets, closing down the town. Local minister Nell Fields had to shovel out just to let her dog outside. Seven inches had fallen, with more still on the way.
> “I feel that the universe just put a big, huge pause on us with all the snow,” Fields said.
She later reflected on the storm’s impact on community life.
> “I pray for two feet every time we get a snowstorm. I want as much as we can get,” she said. “Let the city just shut down for a day, and it’s beautiful, and then we can get back to life.”
Fields also held church services despite the storm, noting that the weather was a gift in some ways.
> “I’m sorry it’s disrupted things, but it’s given us some silence, and maybe we’re using this time to think about what’s really important, and that’s community and taking care of each other,” she said.
Government Response
Governor Tate Reeves of Mississippi addressed the public during a news conference on Sunday.
> “That doesn’t mean the danger is behind us,” Reeves said. “Do please reach out to friends and family.”
Reeves highlighted the state’s response to the ice storm, which was Mississippi’s worst since 1994. The state deployed a record-ever 200,000 gallons (750,000 L) of ice-melting chemicals, plus salt and sand, to treat icy roads.
> “I urge people not to drive anywhere unless absolutely necessary,” Reeves added.
Aviation Impact
The storm’s effects on air travel were extensive. A flight tracker recorded the following:
| Airport | Flights Cancelled | Flights Delayed |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 1,200 | 2,800 |
| Washington | 900 | 2,200 |
| Baltimore | 700 | 1,600 |
| New York | 1,500 | 3,000 |
| New Jersey | 800 | 1,900 |
| North Carolina | 600 | 1,200 |
These numbers represent only a portion of the national impact, with 12,000 flights canceled and 20,000 delayed overall.
Power Outages
Power outages were widespread, with Tennessee and Mississippi experiencing the most significant disruptions. According to poweroutage.us, hundreds of thousands of customers lost electricity, and the outages stretched into Monday as the cold weather threatened to refreeze roads and damage infrastructure.
Community Resilience
Despite the challenges, many communities found moments of solidarity. In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported that at least five people who died were found outside as temperatures plunged Saturday, though the cause of their deaths remained under investigation.
In Caddo Parish, Louisiana, two men died of hypothermia related to the storm, according to the state health department.
These incidents underscored the storm’s deadly potential and the importance of community preparedness.
Key Takeaways
- The winter storm dumped up to a foot of snow across 1,300 miles, causing 12,000 flight cancellations and 20,000 flight delays.
- The cold snap produced the coldest average low-9.8 degrees-since January 2014, prompting widespread advisories.
- Mississippi deployed a record 200,000 gallons of ice-melting chemicals to combat the worst ice storm since 1994.
- 213 million people were under winter weather warnings, and hundreds of thousands lost power.
- Community leaders and residents highlighted the storm’s impact on daily life and the importance of mutual support.
