Snow Sweeps Across Texas and Oklahoma as Winter Storm Slams Eastern U.S.

A powerful winter storm began its march across the United States Friday morning, dropping heavy snow across Northwest Texas and Oklahoma as forecasters warned nearly half the country to brace for Arctic conditions, power outages, and dangerous travel.

More than 150 million Americans were under some form of weather alert issued by the National Weather Service as the storm, fueled by frigid air out of Canada, pushed east from the southern Rockies. It’s expected to impact the entire Eastern Seaboard through early Monday.

So far, at least 14 states and Washington, D.C., have declared states of emergency. Governors activated response teams, salted roads, and positioned crews to respond to what could be one of the most widespread cold-weather events in recent years.

Forecasters say snow and sleet started falling Thursday night in parts of the Central Plains. Brandon Buckingham, a meteorologist with AccuWeather, warned that the storm could turn dangerous fast.

“Dallas could see a half-inch of ice,” he said. “This is going to become treacherous very quickly.”

The risk of prolonged power outages is growing in areas where ice builds up on trees and power lines. Although the worst of the storm may clear by Monday, some regions could go days without electricity.

In Oklahoma City, snowfall totals could approach a foot, with ice adding to the hazard. Despite the conditions, local businesses were doing their best to stay open. Morgan Mayo, a supervisor at Not Your Average Joe café, said customers packed in to escape the 8-degree morning chill.

“We’re going to do our darnedest to stay open,” she said. Saturday’s high isn’t expected to climb above 10 degrees.

Texans are bracing for the possibility of a repeat of the disastrous 2021 ice storm that knocked out power to millions and caused over 200 deaths. But this time, the state’s main power grid operator, ERCOT, says it’s ready and expects to meet demand.

As the storm continues east, it’s expected to bring ice and snow to cities in Georgia and the Carolinas. In Atlanta, Charlotte, and Raleigh, up to a quarter-inch of ice could fall by Sunday.

Northern cities from Washington, D.C., to Boston are on alert as well. Snow totals are expected to range from 4 to 8 inches in the major metro areas, with heavier accumulation possible in parts of the Ohio Valley and Mid-Atlantic.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has already declared both a state of emergency and a snow emergency, which will remain in effect into next week. She also requested National Guard support to ensure emergency vehicles can navigate the streets.

The storm is shaping up to be the first major leadership test for newly elected New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He told NY1 that the city’s sanitation department is ramping up for “the nation’s largest snow-fighting operation” to clear roads ahead of Sunday’s expected snow. Schools will remain open Monday for either in-person or remote learning.

With temperatures falling and conditions worsening across the map, Americans from Texas to Maine are being urged to prepare now—and stay alert.