Extreme cold warnings and watches were issued across large parts of the central and northern United States on Thursday, January 22, 2026, as a deep Arctic air mass spread southward, producing wind chills as low as −48°C (−55°F).
A major long-duration winter storm is forecast to affect large portions of the central and eastern United States starting Friday, January 23, 2026, with confidence increasing in damaging ice accumulations across parts of the South. Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are expected from the southern Rockies and Plains into the Mid-South, with the system spreading east into the Mid-Atlantic and New England through the weekend.
A large and prolonged outbreak of Arctic air is spreading across the United States, prompting extreme cold watches across much of the northern and central United States from Thursday, January 22, 2026, through Friday, January 24. This Arctic outbreak will bring one of the most dangerous cold spells in recent years, with the greatest threat lasting from Thursday night through early Saturday morning.
Winter storm watches are in effect from New Mexico and Texas to Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky, from Friday morning through late Saturday night, January 23–24, 2026, with some extending into Sunday afternoon, January 25. Heavy snow, sleet, and ice accumulations are forecast, along with dangerously cold temperatures that will persist into Monday morning, January 26.
A major winter storm will bring widespread snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic between Friday, January 23, and Sunday, January 25, 2026.
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.
Freeze warnings and cold weather advisories are in effect across Florida, southeast Georgia, and southern Texas from late January 18 through the morning of January 19, 2026. Sub-freezing temperatures ranging from −4 to -1°C (24–30°F), with wind chills near -6.6°C (20°F), are forecast in some areas during the warning period.
