(TLP:CLEAR) Severe Winter Weather Forecast to Impact Large Portions of the U.S.

Summary: A severe winter storm is projected to bring widespread heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain from the Southern Rockies and Plains into the Mid-South starting Friday, spreading eastward to the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions this weekend, with impacts potentially lingering into Monday in New England, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Extremely cold air behind the storm will likely prolong hazardous travel and infrastructure impacts. Water and wastewater utilities in the potential path of the storm are highly encouraged to start preparedness activities, if they have not done so already.

Analyst Note: The storm is being fueled by an arctic air mass descending from Canada that is expected to clash with moisture drawn northward leading to severe winter weather conditions. Of course, winter weather can impact water and wastewater utilites by causing pipes to break, creating power outages, limiting access to facilities due to icy roads, and affecting source water quality due to increased amount of road salt, among other impacts – underscoring the importance of preparedness efforts.

Potential infrastructure impacts could include significant disruptions to the transportation sector due to snow-covered roads, icy surfaces, and low visibility. Freezing rain and sleet may result in hazardous travel, tree damage, and prolonged power outages. FEMA assesses that strong winds could further damage infrastructure and hinder emergency response. The extreme cold following the storm will increase the risk of hypothermia and frostbite, especially for vulnerable populations, and may strain utility systems as demand for heating rises. Disruptions to public transportation and supply chains are likely.

According to NWS, confidence is high in a significant and impactful winter storm, but uncertainty remains in the exact storm track, timing, and placement of the heaviest snow and ice. Even small shifts could lead to large changes in local impacts. Forecasts should be closely monitored for updates. To help utilites prepare for winter-related hazards, please review the guidance documents in the mitigation section below.

Original Sources: 

• https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/#page=ovw
• https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2026-01-21-winter-storm-fern-ice-snow-forecast-south-northeast-midwest  

Additional Reading:

• Huge US winter storm to bring crippling snow, sleet and ice from Texas to Boston
• COLUMN: Winter Is Not a Surprise for Emergency Management Professionals

Mitigation Recommendations:

• EPA – Incident Action Checklist – Extreme Cold and Winter Storms
• FEMA – Winter Weather
• NOAA – Get your snow smarts on: 9 forecast tools you can use

Related WaterISAC PIRs: 16 & 17