Freezing rain hit parts of Texas on Friday as a powerful, multi-day winter storm began moving across the country, threatening roughly half of the U.S. population with snow, sleet, ice, dangerously cold temperatures, and widespread power outages. Forecasters warned that damage—particularly from heavy ice—could be severe, potentially rivaling the destruction caused by hurricanes.
The storm disrupted daily life across large parts of the country. Schools in Chicago and other Midwestern cities canceled classes, airlines grounded thousands of flights, churches shifted services online, and major events such as the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville proceeded without audiences. Mardi Gras-related parades in Louisiana were postponed or called off.
Weather alerts were widespread, with about 182 million people under ice and snow warnings and more than 210 million facing cold weather advisories, often overlapping. Power companies prepared for outages, as ice-laden trees and power lines can collapse even after storms subside.
In Dallas, residents stocked up on essentials as conditions worsened. “We’re staying in and keeping out of the way,” said one shopper as freezing rain made roads slick in cities like Lubbock.
After sweeping through the South, the storm was forecast to move northeast, potentially dropping up to a foot of snow from Washington, D.C., to New York and Boston.
The first phase of the storm involved an influx of Arctic air from Canada, bringing dangerous wind chills to the Midwest. In some areas, temperatures felt as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 40 Celsius), prompting school closures and making prolonged outdoor exposure hazardous.
Despite the extreme cold, thousands gathered in Minneapolis for a planned protest, while elsewhere travel disruptions mounted. Nearly 5,000 flights were delayed or canceled nationwide on Friday, with thousands more canceled for the weekend.
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State and federal agencies prepared emergency responses. Road crews treated highways, National Guard units were deployed to assist motorists, and nearly 30 federal search-and-rescue teams were placed on standby. FEMA pre-positioned millions of meals, hundreds of thousands of blankets, and generators along the storm’s path. President Donald Trump said his administration was coordinating closely with state and local officials.
Officials warned that ice accumulation could bring down power lines and burst pipes, and that recovery would be slow even after the storm passes. In many Southern states, most homes rely on electric heating, increasing the risk during outages.
Remembering the deadly Texas power grid failure five years ago, state leaders pledged improved preparedness. Utility companies brought in extra crews to help maintain service.
In the Northeast, cities braced for potentially their heaviest snowfall in years. Boston declared a cold emergency, while Connecticut and neighboring states prepared for possible travel restrictions. Philadelphia announced school closures, encouraging students to stay safe and enjoy the snow responsibly.
As temperatures plunged, shelters opened for vulnerable populations. In Detroit, emergency cots were set up for those without housing, while elsewhere residents chose to ride out the storm at home or on campus with friends.
Universities across the South canceled classes or urged students to leave dorms amid power concerns. Some students, however, opted to stay together and face the storm collectively.