Arctic Blast and Major Winter Storm Sweep Across the United States

A dangerous Arctic blast and major winter storm are sweeping across the United States, bringing crippling ice, heavy snow, and life threatening cold to a large portion of the nation. The powerful system begins Friday across the Southwest and southern Plains before spreading into Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, where northern areas could see 3 to 8 inches of snow while freezing rain and sleet farther south raise the risk of hazardous travel and power outages. By Saturday, the storm intensifies across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky, with ice accumulations of a quarter to half an inch threatening trees and power lines and snow totals of 4 to 10 inches possible in parts of Tennessee and Kentucky. On Sunday, the storm expands into the Midwest, Ohio Valley, Mid Atlantic, and Northeast, bringing widespread snowfall of 6 to 12 inches, with locally higher totals up to 18 inches possible across Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and New England. In Washington, D.C., 4 to 8 inches of snow could disrupt federal operations, public transportation, and security around the U.S. Capitol, prompting preparations for delayed openings, remote work orders, and possible closures. Behind the storm, brutal Arctic air surges south, sending temperatures into the single digits and below zero, with wind chills as low as 20 to 40 degrees below zero, creating dangerous and life threatening conditions. Emergency officials are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare for extended power outages as this high impact, multi day storm disrupts daily life well into next week.