At least seven people have died after a winter storm moved across large areas of the United States, cutting electricity to more than 800,000 homes and businesses.
Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures were reported from Texas through parts of the Northeast. Schools were closed in several states, roads became dangerous, and flights were cancelled as conditions worsened. Weather officials warned that conditions in some regions are life-threatening.
By Sunday afternoon, more than 800,000 customers were without electricity nationwide. Airlines were also hit hard, with over 11,000 flights cancelled as airports struggled with snow, ice, and poor visibility.
Forecasters said heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain could linger for several more days. Freezing rain, in particular, poses a serious risk because it rapidly coats roads, trees, and power lines with ice, leading to accidents and infrastructure damage.
Weather authorities estimate the storm could impact around 180 million people—more than half of the US population.
Deaths Reported in Multiple States
Several fatalities linked to the extreme weather have been reported across different states. Louisiana health officials confirmed that two men died from hypothermia.
In Texas, the mayor of Austin said an exposure-related death had occurred. Kansas authorities said a woman found outdoors and covered in snow may have died after succumbing to the cold. Tennessee officials also reported three deaths connected to the storm.
In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said at least five people died on Saturday, though the causes of death are still being investigated. He noted that extreme cold remains a deadly threat each winter.
Officials Warn of Ongoing Danger
New York Governor Kathy Hochul urged residents to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel, calling the storm one of the harshest winter events the state has seen in years.
She warned that the prolonged cold and heavy snowfall could delay recovery efforts and create lasting hazards. “This is dangerous, bone-chilling weather,” she said.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said the state was experiencing more ice than originally forecast, increasing the risk of crashes and power outages.
Authorities in states including Virginia and Kentucky reported responding to hundreds of accidents on icy roads.
Emergencies Declared as Storm Continues
Nearly half of the US states have declared states of emergency as the storm pushes on into the new week. Schools across the country cancelled classes, and some government operations were disrupted. The US Senate postponed a planned vote scheduled for Monday evening.
In Washington, DC, Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a local emergency, saying the capital was experiencing its most significant snowstorm in more than a decade.
Canada Also Hit as Polar Vortex Drives Storm
The storm has extended into parts of Canada, where heavy snowfall led to hundreds of flight cancellations. Officials in Ontario said snowfall totals could reach between 15 and 30 centimeters.
Meteorologists said the storm was driven by a shift in the polar vortex—a large mass of cold air that usually remains near the Arctic. When the system weakens, frigid air can plunge southward, colliding with warmer air and triggering powerful winter storms.
While the storm is expected to move northeast by Tuesday, forecasters warned that dangerously cold temperatures could persist into early February. Some scientists say long-term climate changes may be influencing how these weather patterns behave, though research is still ongoing.
