Posted on 01/22/2026 12:39:52 AM PST by Morgana
A state of emergency was declared in several states ahead of a massive winter storm that could bring more than a foot of snow to much of the country.
More than 200 million people across parts of 30 states now face winter storm warnings from Friday through Sunday.
Meteorologists were expected to issue more within the next couple of days and upgrade some to winter storm warnings as the storm approaches.
When the blizzard hits, temperatures are expected to plunge as much as 30 degrees below normal in the Dakotas and Michigan, with the wind chill falling between 35 and 50 degrees below zero in some parts, according to the Weather Channel.
The National Weather Service now warns that 'nearly everyone east of the Rockies' will see some effect from the snow, ice or cold from Friday into early next week.
A state of emergency is now in effect in South Carolina, allowing state officials to mobilize resources, activate the National Guard and coordinate response efforts, and in Texas, Governor Greg Abbott activated the state emergency response resources on Tuesday to prepare for the storm.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein also declared a state of emergency on Wednesday, telling residents: 'A winter storm is approaching and now is the time to prepare.'
'Please get ready. Get everything you need in advance of the storm and have a plan in case your power goes out,' he urged North Carolinians, encouraging them to 'stay home and off the roads this weekend unless absolutely necessary, so first responders can do their jobs safely and effectively.'
Maryland Governor Wes Moore made a similar plea to residents as he declared a 'State of Preparedness' to boost the state's response and collaborations for potential impacts from the storm.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Here just west of Knoxville, we were “iced in” for 10 days in January 2024.
I live in Upstate NY.
We’re outside the Exploding Tree Line.
But our chances of being up to our knees in snow are increasing.
I’ll take the snow.
MM, I just checked the forecast for Knoxville.
Still calling for 6” of snow.
And about 1/4” of ice.
I don’t know about that much snow in your neck of the woods being cause for concern, but that ice might cause some power outages.
I’d like to see Idaho someday.
I’m watching videos from both Max Velocity and RyanHallYall to get the latest updates. They both are usually spot on with the track of any storm. I’m not sure what time they’ll be going live, but it’s a good idea to tune into one of their live reports to get info as to when the storm will arrive in your area.
If it gets colder, it must be global warming.
I’ve found preparation in advance is key. Those that don’t I could care less about.
Come on out! We’d love to show you around!
Thanks for the heads-up!
What app do you refer to when checking weather? I should consult another one besides my typical WU.
Ice could be a problem in our area; it has been in the past. The first thing we did when we moved in to this house was install a whole house Generac. It has been a blessing, considering how unstable our power is here with our Utility Board.
I’m pretty sure I won’t be playing organ for church this Sunday.
For Sunday, the WU app shows 16 degrees and RAIN. At that temp, rain seems impossible. The white stuff seems more likely.
FWIW, I worry about ice.
Glad we won’t be getting any of that in Upstate NY.
“0” chance of snow?
But, anyway, you are just lucky because the storm track shifted slightly north:
Geezo-meezo...
...And that track could have just as well stayed stuck.
(Memories of our 2009 ice storm, which WAY too many people did not take seriously enough...)
We use a bunch of sources because local weatherman worthy of the title have gone extinct.
The usual suspects: the NWS, Accuweather...
But also YouTuber Max Velocity and the website Tropical Tidbits.
Also, because we’re not spring chickens and have lived on thus area all our lives, we have a pretty good idea of what the local idiosyncrasies are weather-wise.
We’ve experienced a flood, a tornado, a few blizzards, one really bad ice storm.
It pays to be prepared. :-)
BTW, Tropical Tidbits is good for more than tropics related weather. :-)
The sequence is what counts, and it looks like the rain will melt the 1st round of snow and freezing rain, then there will be a little snow at the end, and probably refreezing of wet / puddled surfaces as the situation chills out.
See my 1st link above. :-)
We are lucky to still have quite good, experienced local forecasters on a couple of our local TV Channels. But, that said, NWS is usually (usually) pretty reliable.
We lived in SE MI most of our lives and don't miss all the traffic!
My hubby was in an ice storm down south a few years back, was there for business.
They were ill prepared, for a variety of reasons, some understandable, and that forecast had been dead on.
Looks like is what to hope for, but isn’t a guarantee of what we’ll get. :-)
“...between 35 and 50 degrees below zero in some parts...”
They just aren’t prepared with engine block warmers and artic clothing. I was assigned to central Alaska in 1985/86 and we got 120 below with the wind chill. If the states were really concerned they should buy and give out artic gloves, mukluks and parkas so the people could get to stores. Cold weather at those levels is insignificant as it all is about the same after 30 below.
wy69
“you are just lucky because the storm track shifted slightly north”
Yes. The narrative description says it’s going to be north, closer to the Kentucky line.
The description emphasizes that it’s more unpredictable than most events. So we shall see ...
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