Severe Winter Storm Claims Over 40 Lives and Leaves Hundreds of Thousands Without Power Across the U.S.
A severe winter storm beginning around January 20, 2026, impacted over half of the United States, including major cities such as Dallas, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. The storm brought heavy snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures across nearly 30 states from the Southern Plains to the East Coast, affecting over 160 million people. It caused widespread disruptions including over 1 million power outages and more than 10,800 flight cancellations nationwide. Multiple states declared emergencies due to hazardous travel conditions and the risk of power outages.
The storm resulted in over 40 fatalities and ongoing safety concerns, particularly in the southern United States. It was forecasted and monitored by agencies including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Weather Prediction Center.
