A major winter storm is forecast to sweep across much of the central and eastern United States between January 23 and 25, 2026, with a mix of snow, sleet, and ice likely from Texas and the Mid-South to the Northeast. Dangerous travel and freezing rain are expected in several regions as the system intensifies through the weekend.
Multiple injuries were reported after lake effect snow and whiteout conditions triggered a 100-vehicle pileup on the I-196 southeast of Grand Rapids on Monday, January 19, 2026. The crashes prompted the closure of all lanes of the highway throughout the day as crews cleared the road.
Heavy snow and strong winds continue across the Great Lakes and Northeast U.S. on January 19, 2026, with winter storm warnings and advisories in effect across the region. Snow accumulations are forecast to reach 15–-35 cm (6–14 inches) in Michigan and up to 120 cm (4 feet) in parts of northern New York.
Rare snow fell across parts of Florida’s Panhandle early on January 18, 2026, marking the second consecutive winter with measurable snowfall in the state. 2.3 mm (0.09 inches) of snow was recorded at Pensacola International Airport on the morning of January 18.
A powerful, prolonged snowstorm that began on January 12, 2026, has paralyzed the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia, with snow depths reportedly reaching up to 500 cm (16 feet) in some areas. A municipal-level State of Emergency was declared for Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky after two people were killed by snow sliding off rooftops on January 15.
Snow squalls continued through the Saturday afternoon, January 17, 2026, across parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania as an Arctic cold front advanced eastward from the Midwest into the Interior Northeast. The National Weather Service warned of sudden whiteout conditions, gusty winds, and rapidly deteriorating visibility, creating dangerous travel for motorists.
Heavy snow and low visibility conditions triggered a multi-vehicle pile-up involving 30 trucks along the eastbound I-80 near Elkhart County, Indiana on January 14, 2026. The crash involved at least 10 semi-trucks, leaving many injured and hospitalized.
A powerful winter storm struck the Kamchatka Peninsula overnight on January 13, 2026, dropping 30% of the region’s monthly precipitation in 24 hours. Small avalanches were reported in snow-covered neighborhoods across the region. The storm added to existing accumulations from previous winter storms, one of which brought the heaviest snowfall on record to Moscow between January 8 and 9.
Snow squall warnings were issued for parts of Washington on January 7, 2026 as a severe winter storm brought heavy snowfall across the region, triggering multiple crashes, and prompting road closures.
Multiple Ice Storm Warnings are in effect across western and central Pennsylvania from Friday, December 26, 2025, until early Saturday, December 27, 2025. Up to 8 mm (0.3 inches) of ice accumulation are forecast to create treacherous travel conditions, power outages, and tree damage.
