Extreme cold warning: 100 million Americans brace for catastrophic ice storm

Dallas: An estimated 100 million people across 19 U.S. states are under winter weather alerts as a potentially severe ice storm approaches, the National Weather Service has said. The storm, stretching from New Mexico to the Carolinas, could bring heavy ice, snow, and sleet, leading to downed trees, power outages, and dangerous travel conditions.

Major airports in the storm’s path, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, Memphis, and Charlotte, may face flight delays, with more disruptions expected along the East Coast as the storm moves eastward. The affected states include Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. About 55 million people are currently under winter storm watches, with more advisories expected.

The storm is driven by an outbreak of Arctic air moving from the northern Plains into the Midwest and central U.S., combining with subtropical moisture to create a narrow corridor of heavy ice from central Texas to the southern Appalachians. Northern states like Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania may see lake-effect snow, flurries, and snow squalls. A smaller clipper system will also bring light snow to the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Authorities are urging residents to prepare for hazardous travel, possible power outages, and flight disruptions. Emergency services are on alert to respond to accidents, downed power lines, and other storm-related hazards.