A massive coast-to-coast winter storm is set to impact much of the United States this weekend, stretching nearly 2,000 miles and placing more than 200 million people under winter weather alerts. Beginning Friday, the system is forecast to deliver snow, ice, and dangerous cold to dozens of major cities from the southern Plains to New England.
According to CNN, 43 states (all but Florida, Hawaii, and parts of the Southwest) are currently under some form of winter weather advisory. As the storm intensifies, forecasters warn of significant travel delays, widespread power outages, and life-threatening wind chills across a majority of the country.
Major Cities Brace for Heavy Snow and Ice
The storm is expected to first form over the Rockies and central Plains on Friday, bringing snow to areas such as Denver, Albuquerque, Wichita, and Oklahoma City. As it moves eastward, it will expand into the Midwest, South, and Mid-Atlantic, affecting cities including Dallas, Memphis, Nashville, Louisville, and Charlotte. According to The Guardian, New York, Boston, and parts of New England are also in the storm’s projected path.
Forecasters say that some regions could receive over a foot of snow, while others may see hazardous ice accumulation, particularly from northern Texas through the Carolinas. Affected zones are likely to experience 6 to 12 inches of snow, with significant icing threatening road conditions and infrastructure.
Governors in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas have declared states of emergency, mobilizing emergency crews, brining roads, and preparing shelters. “I encourage all North Carolinians to stay home and off the roads this weekend,” Governor Josh Stein said in a statement, warning that impacts could last into next week.
The storm is expected to peak on Sunday, when about 55 percent of the contiguous US could be simultaneously experiencing snow, sleet, or freezing rain, according to meteorologists cited by The Guardian.
Arctic Cold Deepens the Threat
What makes this event particularly dangerous is the Arctic air mass trailing the storm. As the polar vortex shifts southward, temperatures across the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast are forecast to plunge below -30°F, with wind chills making it feel even colder.
According to CNN, cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, and Des Moines will remain below zero, while Dallas-Fort Worth and Raleigh are expected to struggle to rise above the mid-20s. Wind gusts between 20 and 30 mph will worsen the cold, and frostbite could develop on exposed skin in under 10 minutes in parts of the Upper Midwest.
The storm is being fueled by a rare convergence of Arctic air, Pacific moisture, and Gulf humidity, creating what meteorologist Eric Webb described as a “truly legendary winter storm setup” on social media.
Authorities are urging residents across affected areas to prepare now by stocking food, securing water, and ensuring access to medications. Snow and ice may linger into early next week, especially in the Northeast, where cleanup efforts could take several days due to the scale of the system and the persistent cold
