Massive Winter Storm To Blanket Nearly 30 States

The National Weather Service warned that a major winter storm will begin Friday, Jan. 23, bringing heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain from northern Texas through the Carolinas into the mid‑Atlantic and threatening travel disruption.

Meteorologists said an Arctic blast and a polar vortex dip will drive frigid air into nearly 30 states, putting almost 160 million people at risk of snow, ice or dangerously low temperatures.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott activated state emergency resources, CenterPoint Energy activated its emergency operations center and American, Delta and United issued travel waivers, officials confirmed, while other governors declared states of emergency.

The National Weather Service and Weather Prediction Center said about 230 million people could face temperatures of 20°F or colder and roughly 150 million could be hit by snow or ice, according to forecast maps.

Forecasters warned uncertainty remains and said updated models over 48 hours will refine local totals as the storm moves to the East Coast by Sunday, Jan. 25, with impacts lingering into Monday, Jan. 26.