US Winter Storm 2026 | US Braces For 'Extremely Dangerous' Winter Storm

A massive winter storm has triggered dangerous cold, snow, sleet and ice across large parts of the United States, forcing school closures in Chicago and other Midwestern cities while threatening widespread power outages from Texas to New England. Nearly 177 million people remain under ice and snow warnings, with more than 200 million facing extreme cold alerts as Arctic air pushes temperatures to life-threatening levels. Chicago canceled classes as wind chills plunged to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, while Bismarck, North Dakota recorded wind chills of minus 41 degrees. Texas and Oklahoma began bracing for freezing rain and sleet, with Houston closing schools and emergency crews placed on high alert. In Atlanta, where temperatures could drop to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, authorities prepared warming centers for homeless residents as fears grew over prolonged power failures. The storm is expected to move northeast, bringing heavy snowfall to cities including Washington, D.C., New York and Boston, where officials declared a cold emergency. Airlines have already canceled and delayed thousands of flights nationwide, with major disruptions reported in Dallas and Atlanta. Forecasters warn that ice accumulation could severely damage power infrastructure, raising concerns of prolonged outages across multiple states.