Massive winter storm threatens half of US with heavy snow, freezing rain and extreme cold; thousands of flights cancelled

A massive, multi-day winter storm lashed large parts of the United States on Friday, bringing freezing rain to Texas and threatening nearly half the country with snow, sleet, ice and dangerously low temperatures, triggering widespread power outage fears and travel chaos.

Forecasters warned that ice accumulation in several regions could cause destruction comparable to a hurricane, as heavy ice loads threatened to snap trees and power lines.

Schools across Chicago and other Midwestern cities cancelled classes, airlines scrapped thousands of weekend flights, churches shifted services online, and major events — including Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry show and carnival parades in Louisiana — were either cancelled or held without audiences.

According to weather agencies, at least 182 million people were under snow and ice alerts, while over 210 million faced extreme cold warnings, with many areas experiencing overlapping advisories.

Utility companies braced for outages, cautioning that ice-coated trees and power lines could collapse even after the storm passes.

“It’s going to be a big storm,” said Dallas resident Maricela Resendiz while stocking up on groceries. “We’re just staying in and staying out of the way.”

Arctic blast grips Midwest

The first wave of the system brought bitter Arctic air from Canada, pushing wind chills as low as minus 40°F (minus 40°C) across the Midwest, conditions that can cause frostbite within minutes.

In Bismarck, North Dakota, where wind chills hit minus 41°F, residents bundled up heavily to brave the cold.

Despite the harsh weather, thousands gathered in downtown Minneapolis for a planned protest over immigration policies.

Flights hit, emergency teams mobilised

Air travel took a major hit, with over 1,000 flights delayed or cancelled on Friday and nearly 2,300 more called off for Saturday, according to flight tracking services. Dallas accounted for more than half of the disruptions.

In Oklahoma, transport crews treated highways with salt brine, state troopers cancelled leave, and National Guard units were deployed to assist stranded motorists.

The federal government placed 30 search-and-rescue teams on standby and pre-positioned millions of meals, blankets and generators, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said. President Donald Trump stated that authorities were fully prepared to respond.

Power outages, frozen pipes feared

Experts warned that thick ice could add significant weight to power lines and tree branches, increasing the risk of snapping. Frozen pipes and extended outages were also a concern, especially in southern states where most homes rely on electricity for heating.

Texas, which suffered a deadly grid collapse during a cold snap five years ago, has deployed additional utility crews to avoid a repeat crisis.

In Atlanta, where temperatures were forecast to stay below freezing for over 36 hours, plumbing companies prepared for a surge in burst pipe repairs.

Northeast braces for heavy snowfall

After sweeping through the South, the storm was expected to head northeast, potentially dumping up to one foot of snow from Washington to New York and Boston.

Boston declared a cold emergency, while Connecticut and neighbouring states prepared possible highway travel restrictions. Philadelphia closed schools for Monday.

Residents hunker down

Many Americans sought shelter as temperatures plunged. In Detroit, Whittni Slater, who had been living in his car, moved into a temporary warming shelter.

Others remained unfazed. At an outdoor show in West Virginia, visitors said they were confident they could navigate the snow with four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Authorities continued to urge residents to stay indoors, avoid unnecessary travel and prepare for prolonged cold as the powerful winter system moves across the country.

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