Major winter storm to effect half of the US. Could it be as deadly as February 2021?

By Easton Martin | January 22, 2026

A sprawling winter storm is shaping up to affect more than 160 million people across much of the United States in the coming days. 

The system is expected to stretch from the Southern Plains through the Midwest and into the Mid Atlantic and Northeast, bringing a dangerous mix of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Forecasters warn that travel could become extremely hazardous and power outages may be widespread, particularly in areas vulnerable to ice accumulation.

While confidence is growing that a significant storm will occur, predicting the exact impacts even a couple of days out remains difficult. Over the past several days, major forecast models have shown notable differences. The European model, often called the Euro, initially tracked the storm farther south, keeping the heaviest snow confined to the lower Midwest. More recent runs have shifted the storm north, placing major population centers closer to the core of the system.

The American GFS model has also fluctuated, at times showing a faster moving storm with a broader swath of wintry precipitation. At other points, it has depicted a slower and stronger system that would allow colder air to penetrate farther south. These changes highlight how small adjustments in storm track or timing can dramatically alter snowfall totals and the location of the rain to snow line.

Meteorologists stress that even slight shifts of 50 miles can mean the difference between heavy snow and crippling ice. As the storm approaches, models should come into better agreement, allowing for more precise forecasts.