Tracking the winter storm: Emergencies declared in nearly a dozen states
More than 160 million people are on alert for a brutal storm.
abcnews.go.comHere are the latest updates on winter storms from credible sources:
United States: A major winter storm swept across the central and eastern U.S. in late January 2026, bringing heavy snow, ice, and bitter cold. Warnings covered a broad swath from the U.S.-Mexico border up to New England, with widespread travel disruption, power outages, and multiple states under emergency declarations. Several hundred thousand to over a million people experienced outages in hardest-hit areas, and flight cancellations were extensive during the peak impacts.[1][2][5]
Ground conditions and impacts: Coastal and inland regions faced dangerous road conditions, subfreezing temperatures, and prolonged cold snaps that lingered after the storm, complicating recovery efforts and travel for days. Officials urged residents to prepare for continued weather-related hazards, including power outages and shoveling needs.[2][7]
Travel and aviation: The storm caused substantial flight cancellations and delays across major hubs, with the airline industry reporting thousands of cancellations at the height of the event. Travel tracking services and carriers provided ongoing updates as conditions evolved.[5][1]
Notable coverage: Major outlets offered live updates, maps showing affected regions, and survivor-focused reporting as communities endured the cold, snow, and outages. For context, outlets summarized the broad geographic scope and the cascading effects on utilities and transportation.[7][2]
Illustration: a representative snapshot of these storms would show a large, layered weather system extending from the Southwest to the Northeast, with heavy snowfall bands, ice accumulations in southern and central states, and a pronounced arctic air mass driving subzero wind chills in multiple regions.
Would you like a concise, region-specific brief (e.g., Switzerland/Zurich-focused weather updates) or a visual summary (CSV or chart) of the U.S. storm timeline and impacts? I can tailor to your location in Zürich and provide practical preparedness tips.
Citations:
More than 160 million people are on alert for a brutal storm.
abcnews.go.comHeavy snow, ice and brutal cold are expected to make this winter storm a potentially life-threatening weather event, stretching across two-thirds of the U.S.
www.cbsnews.comMore than a foot of snow has piled up in the Northeast, as cold air filters in behind the storm. Over 800,000 customers are still without power.
www.accuweather.comA winter storm is impacting parts of 11 states along the East Coast with blizzard warnings in effect for 41 million people. A ban on nonessential travel is in effect in New York City. Meanwhile, New England could get up to 2 feet of snow with wind gusts over 60 mph. More than 10,000 flights have been canceled since Sunday due to the winter storm hitting the East Coast with heavy snow and powerful winds. Kris Van Cleave reports on when service is expected to restart.
www.cbsnews.comMany alerts remain in place with power outages in some regions
www.theguardian.com