Intense Winter Storm Sweeps Across the US: 14 States Declare Emergency

The National Weather Service warned of possible power outages, falling trees, very dangerous roads, and freezing temperatures in minutes due to the polar cold.

New York and Washington D.C. could reach lows of -14°C and -11°C on Saturday. In Canada, the wind chill could drop to -50°C. Photo: EFE.

January 23, 2026 Hour: 10:52 pm

An intense and widespread winter storm, originating in the Rocky Mountains, is sweeping across nearly half of the United States, threatening heavy snowfall, extremely low temperatures, and catastrophic ice formation.

Approximately 230 million people in almost all 50 states are affected, while 14 states have declared states of emergency so far: New York, Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

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The winter storm is expected to reach the East Coast between Saturday and Sunday, with record lows anticipated in Minneapolis (-32°C), Chicago (-28°C), and Cleveland (-24°C).

New York City and Washington, D.C., could reach -14°C and -11°C, respectively, on Saturday. In several areas of Canada, the wind chill could drop to -50°C (-22°F).

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of potential power outages, downed trees, extremely dangerous roads, and freezing temperatures that can occur in minutes due to the extreme cold.

In the wake of this major winter storm, communities from the Southern Plains to the Northeast will contend with bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills. This will cause prolonged hazardous travel and infrastructure impacts. pic.twitter.com/c3BGr7sq5c
— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 23, 2026

NWS Director Ken Graham urged residents to stay home and stock up on supplies, while meteorologists warned that the damage, especially in areas affected by ice, could be comparable to that of a hurricane.

Meanwhile, in New York City, the most populous city in the country, snow accumulations of 20 to 35 centimeters (8 to 14 inches) are expected.

At a press conference, Mayor Zohran Mamdani confirmed that “we will be prepared. If anything intensifies, the city will also intensify its strategy.”