Snow Storm of the Decade Grips 37 US States, Leaving Nearly a Million Without Power

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Unprecedented Reach Stuns Meteorologists

Forecasters labeled the event the largest ice storm in more than a decade, with its 2,000-mile span marking it as exceptionally rare. Josh Weiss from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration described the system as “unique” due to its vast coverage and lingering extreme cold expected through the week. Areas in the Northeast braced for up to two feet of snow overnight into Monday, while regions avoiding the heaviest snow faced warnings of “catastrophic ice accumulation” from freezing rain. Tens of millions encountered dangerously low wind chills in the days ahead. The storm’s intensity prompted some of the strongest advisories issued in years.

Communities along the Canadian border recorded record temperature plunges, including a reading of -45C in Copenhagen within New York’s Lewis County. Georgia’s senior state meteorologist Will Lanxton highlighted the threat, noting it could become “perhaps the biggest ice storm we’ve seen in more than a decade.”

Power Failures Hit Hardest in the South

Nearly one million households lost electricity as ice weighed down lines and trees across the affected regions. Tennessee reported the most severe disruptions, with over 300,000 customers offline. Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi each surpassed 100,000 outages, compounding challenges in already vulnerable grids.

Officials positioned rescue teams and supplies in advance. Seventeen states, plus the District of Columbia, declared emergencies to manage the crisis effectively.

Travel Chaos and School Closures Widespread

Aviation faced its highest single-day cancellations since the COVID-19 pandemic on Sunday, with aviation firm Cirium noting thousands grounded. FlightAware tracked an additional 8,000 delays, stranding passengers nationwide. More than 50 flights from London’s Heathrow Airport to the US fell victim, including 41 British Airways transatlantic routes.

New York City converted thousands of refuse trucks into snow plows and shifted schools to remote learning on Monday. Similar closures rippled through other states. New Jersey imposed a 35 mph speed limit on highways to counter slick roads.

Leaders Issue Stark Warnings

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem advised residents to remain indoors amid “very, very cold” conditions blanketing much of the country. New York Governor Kathy Hochul called it an “Arctic siege,” stating, “It is brutal, it is bone-chilling and it is dangerous.” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani warned of the coldest weather in eight years. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill echoed concerns over conditions “the likes of which we haven’t seen in years.”

President Donald Trump vowed support on Truth Social, writing, “We will continue to monitor and stay in touch with all states in the path of this storm. Stay safe, and stay warm.”

Key Takeaways

Nearly 1 million power outages, worst in Tennessee with 300,000+ affected.
37 states impacted, 17 with emergencies declared plus DC.
Record flight cancellations and Northeast snow up to 2 feet forecast.

This storm underscored the growing ferocity of winter extremes, testing infrastructure and resolve across the nation. As recovery begins, communities assess damage while preparing for any lingering cold snaps – what steps will you take next time? Tell us in the comments.

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