Blockbuster Winter Storm Cripples Portions Of The U.S.; Over 1 Million Without Power (4 – Videos)

A relentless weather system, officially designated Winter Storm Fern, has escalated into a historic “blockbuster” event, paralyzing a 2,000-mile swath of the United States. From the freezing bayous of Louisiana to the buried streets of New England, the storm has claimed lives, shattered utility grids, and effectively grounded the nation’s aviation network. As of Sunday evening, officials report that over one million customers are without power and nearly 11,000 flights have been scrubbed in a single day—the highest cancellation volume since the 2020 pandemic.

Aviation Paralysis: 10,000+ Flights Grounded

The U.S. air travel system reached a near-total standstill on Sunday. According to FlightAware, cancellations for Sunday alone surpassed 10,500, with another 1,800 already axed for Monday.

• Grounded Hubs: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) took the rare step of canceling all Sunday flights. New York’s LaGuardia (LGA) suspended operations mid-afternoon as snowfall rates hit two inches per hour.
• The Southern Ice Crisis: Major hubs like Atlanta (ATL) and Charlotte (CLT) were crippled by ice accumulation. Delta Air Lines relocated de-icing crews from northern “snow-belt” hubs to the South to help recover grounded fleets, but treacherous conditions have limited progress.

Power Outages: Over One Million in Darkness

The storm’s “ice-wedge” proved devastating for the South, where freezing rain snapped power lines and collapsed trees.

• Tennessee: The hardest-hit state, with over 335,000 outages reported.
• Mississippi and Louisiana: Combined outages reached 323,000, leaving entire counties without heat as temperatures plummeted.
• The Grid Emergency: In Texas, the Department of Energy issued an emergency order authorizing ERCOT to tap into backup power from data centers to prevent a statewide grid failure. A similar emergency order was issued for PJM Interconnection in the Mid-Atlantic to ensure supply as the storm moves North.

Cities Buried: Regional Snow Totals

While the South iced over, the Northeast and Midwest saw historic accumulations:

• New York City: Central Park reported 10-14 inches of snow. Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared a state of emergency, restricting non-essential travel.
• Philadelphia: The city is digging out from nearly 12 inches, its most significant snowfall since 2016.
• Mid-Atlantic: Baltimore and D.C. saw a “whiteout” Sunday morning, with depths ranging from 8 to 11 inches.

Nationwide School Closures: Monday, Jan 26

Thousands of school districts have announced closures or shifts to remote learning for Monday, January 26:

• New York City: All public school buildings are closed. Elementary students will pivot to remote learning, while high schools will have the day off for a previously scheduled professional day.
• Philadelphia: The School District of Philadelphia and Archdiocesan schools are closed. No remote learning is planned; officials encouraged students to enjoy the “snow day.”
• Atlanta Area: Major districts including Atlanta Public Schools, Cobb, and DeKalb are either closed or moving to remote instruction due to icy secondary roads.
• Texas & The South: Dallas ISD, Fort Worth ISD, and Austin ISD have all canceled Monday classes due to hazardous road conditions and power outages.
• New England: Districts across Massachusetts and New Hampshire have already announced Monday closures as the storm’s center moves toward Boston.

Futurecast: The Arctic Plunge

Meteorologists warn that the departure of the snow is only the first phase.

1. Sunday Night/Monday Morning: The storm will strengthen into a classic Nor’easter, dumping up to 18 inches of snow across parts of New England (Boston and Portland).
2. Monday Afternoon: Precipitation will exit, but a “Flash Freeze” is imminent. Slushy roads will turn into solid ice as temperatures drop into the single digits.
3. Tuesday & Wednesday: A “dangerously cold” Arctic air mass will settle over the Eastern U.S. Wind chills are expected to reach –20°F to –40°F in the Midwest and Northeast, making utility restoration nearly impossible and threatening to keep schools closed through Wednesday.

Main News Sources and Links

• The Guardian – US winter storm leaves seven people dead as more than 1 million lose power
• Travel Market Report – Flight Cancellations Hit 10,000 as Winter Storm Slams the Northeast
• Times of India – Snowstorm shuts NYC school buildings, but learning goes on
• Hindustan Times – Winter storm ‘Fern’ in US grounds over 14,000 flights
• CBS News Boston – School closings and delays for Massachusetts and New Hampshire
• WJER Radio – Fern forces school closures, extreme cold to follow
• 828 News Now – Winter storm fallout cancels classes in Asheville area schools
• 11Alive News – Atlanta area and north Georgia schools closed due to winter storm
• Delta News Hub – Winter Storm Fern Update: Managing weather conditions