A life-threatening winter storm swept across the United States on Sunday, affecting a wide swath of the country from Texas to New England.
The storm prompted road closures, mass flight cancellations, and widespread power outages as snow, sleet, and freezing rain coated cities and towns. Authorities urged residents to stay off roads unless absolutely necessary due to treacherous conditions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that an Arctic air mass trailing the system would cause dangerously low temperatures for several days, prolonging disruptions to daily life.
“The snow/sleet impacts will linger well into next week with rounds of refreezing that keep surfaces icy and dangerous to both drive and walk on for the foreseeable future,” the NWS said.
Fatalities Reported Amid Arctic Temperatures
The storm has already claimed lives. Louisiana authorities confirmed two deaths from hypothermia, while New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani reported that five people were found dead outdoors over the weekend in extreme cold. Officials emphasized the deadly risks posed by life-threatening temperatures, which are expected to continue for several days.
Widespread Power Outages Across Southern and Eastern States
Tracking site PowerOutage.com reported over one million customers without electricity as of Sunday afternoon, with the majority in the southern U.S. In Tennessee, more than 300,000 homes and businesses were without power, while Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia each recorded over 100,000 outages.
The outages were exacerbated by ice accumulation on power lines and are particularly dangerous as record-low temperatures grip the South, where residents are often less prepared for such severe winter conditions.
States of Emergency Declared; Travel Disrupted
At least 20 states and Washington D.C. have declared states of emergency in response to the storm. Residents in major cities from Texas to North Carolina and New York were advised to remain indoors.
Snow and sleet disrupted heavily populated areas, including Philadelphia, New York, Boston, and Washington, D.C., leading to preemptive closures of federal offices.
Airports were heavily impacted, with over 11,000 flights cancelled on Sunday and thousands more scheduled for Monday, according to Flightaware.com.
Polar Vortex Drives Extreme Winter Weather
Meteorologists said the storm is a result of a stretched polar vortex, a low-pressure system of Arctic cold that occasionally extends southward, sending frigid air across North America.
Scientists note that the increasing frequency of such events may be influenced by climate change, although natural variability remains a factor.
President Donald Trump, staying at the White House during the storm, posted on Truth Social that authorities were monitoring the situation and warned citizens to “Stay Safe, and Stay Warm!” He also questioned climate change narratives, asking, “WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING??”
Life-Threatening Cold to Persist After Storm
The NWS cautioned that extreme cold could last a week, particularly in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, where wind chill temperatures are forecast to reach below -50°F (-45°C). Such frigid conditions can cause frostbite within minutes, making outdoor travel highly dangerous.
Authorities warned that heavy ice could result in long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and impassable roads, posing ongoing risks even after the snow and sleet subside.
