Brittany Lockley

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A rare winter storm is impacting parts of the South, Midwest, and Northeast starting today, through the weekend, and into early next week, bringing a combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain to areas that typically do not experience wintry precipitation. &nbsp;Winter storm watches, warnings, and advisories have been issued in advance of this winter storm with varying totals.<h1>Forecast Timing</h1>This impactful weather system will unfold in two waves into early next week. The first wave will impact the South tonight into the first half of Saturday, bringing snow, sleet, freezing rain, and rain. The stronger second wave is set to slide in tonight and continue into Monday from Texas to the East Coast. On Sunday, the potential for severe weather will also be on the table along the Gulf Coast. For the Northeast, it will be mostly all snow, although we could see a changeover to a mix for the Mid Atlantic region with warmer air moving in from the south.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/FORECAST-1769260342885.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video><h1>Snow, Ice, and Freezing Rain Totals</h1>The totals of snow and ice are the trickiest part of this forecast. Models suggest snowfall totals over a foot will be possible across the Northeast, Ohio Valley, and Southern Plains of Kansas and Oklahoma. Freezing rain will be highly impactful for portions of Interstate 20 and 85 across the South with accretion over 1" thick. Where the freezing line is will determine your type of precipitation.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 080513-1769267165447.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 080519-1769267177610.png"><h1>What You Should Do</h1>Because snow and ice are uncommon across the Deep South, impacts can be significant even with minimal accumulation. Power outages are possible where ice builds up on trees and power lines, and travel disruptions could occur as drivers encounter slick roads. For many in the south, now is the time to STAY HOME. For those who have yet to see this storm out east and north, here's what you can do to prepare. Make sure you stay tuned to WeatherNation for all the latest info on what you can expect towards the end of this week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-21 112757-1769020084236.png"><div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iazEW732MI0" start="0"></iframe></div>

Alana Cameron

Rare Winter Storm Threatens Over 190 Million

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Rob grew up in South Florida, where daily afternoon storms and hurricanes piqued his interest in meteorology early on. That interest was fostered by his teachers and his father, who one time brought him onto the roof of their home to watch a funnel cloud move through the Everglades several miles away. Years of filmmaking and tv production in high school gradually pushed him toward broadcast meteorology at Florida State University, where he joined and eventually led the student run daily weather show. After graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Meteorology, he began his career at KESQ in Palm Springs, California before heading to KFSN in Fresno and WLOS in Asheville, North Carolina. He has covered a diverse array of extreme weather events, including haboobs and flash flooding in the desert, extreme snow in the Sierra, hurricanes, and Appalachian ice storms. He also enjoys telling stories and reporting about weather issues.

Connect with Rob on <a href="https://twitter.com/WxRobBradley">Twitter</a>

Rob Bradley

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For much of this winter season, the Southwestern United States has been under the influence of a large, blocking ridge of high pressure. This ridge has sent storms well to the north, keeping the southwest dry and warm. While a few soaking systems helped push drought conditions out of California, the Four Corners have been seeing drought conditions worsen with snow pack rivaling the worst on record (snow pack records date back about 40 years).<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-22 130618-1769112396676.png">A wet storm system has started to move in from the Pacific to end the week, bringing heavy rain and snow back to these parched locations. Winter weather alerts have been issued for portions of New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona starting Friday morning, lasting through late Saturday.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 081135-1769268236498.png">As the upper low slides east into the Desert Southwest, snow, rain, and a wintry mix will continue to expand. Widespread rain is expected in Arizona and lower elevations of New Mexico, while mountain areas and locations east of I-25 see heavy snowfall. The heavy precipitation will gradually wind down through Sunday morning, with some snow showers still falling in New Mexico.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/01-24 rsw-1769268255315.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Snowfall totals look impressive in Colorado and New Mexico, with many high elevation locations looking at 6-12". Even portions of Arizona and California can expect some 6"+. Expect major delays on several interstates in Colorado and New Mexico, such as I-25, I-40, and I-70.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 081140-1769268262617.png">Even rainfall will be impressive in portions of California, Arizona, and New Mexico. Most areas can expect up to 0.5" of rain, but totals surpassing 1-2" are not out of the question where terrain can enhance rainfall rates.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1769224790154.png">Get the latest forecast for the Western U.S. anytime with the WeatherNation app by pulling up the regional forecast section, or tuning in to WeatherNationTV at :50 past the hour.

Rain and Snow Return to the Southwest

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Alana Cameron was born and raised in Canada in the city of Mississauga, just outside of Toronto. Alana is the oldest of 4 siblings, all close in age, and grew up playing outside with them in all types of weather. After graduating high school, Alana moved to study at the University of British Columbia in Kelowna for a year before transferring to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Atmospheric Science. Upon completion, Alana moved back to Toronto where she completed a post-grad degree in Meteorology at York University. After her post-grad, she went on to complete another post-grad in Broadcast Journalism - TV News at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. During her final year of studies she had the privilege of interning with the best in the business in Canada at The Weather Network. Once she finished her internship, she got the call from small-town Denison, Texas where she accepted a job as an on-air meteorologist at KTEN-TV, right in tornado alley, covering severe weather from Sherman/Denison (North Texas) to Ada (Southern Oklahoma). After the most active tornado season Oklahoma had seen in May 2019 (105 tornadoes!) Alana is excited to join WeatherNation to cover weather all across the nation. If you're interested in following her on social media she can be found @alanacameronwx!

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It's here! The coldest air of the season and the Polar Vortex. Dangerously cold temperatures continue to spill south through the weekend and into the early work week. What is the polar vortex? You can think of it as a permanent area of low pressure that stays at the Earth's poles! A strong polar vortex does a good job of keeping that arctic air where it needs to be. However, during the winter months, a weak polar vortex can allow some of that air to sink into the U.S.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web1-1768833952146.png"><h2>The North</h2>Cold weather alerts have been slowly ending for the northern U.S., but many spots still continue through Sunday, with wind chills as low as 50 below zero expected.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 075915-1769266793524.png">Check out all the cold air alerts across the Northern U.S. through Sunday. This is such a dangerous setup for winter-related impacts. Frostbite and hyperthermia could start to take over the human body in a matter of minutes.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 075930-1769266813027.png">Meteorologist Alana Cameron spoke to the National Weather Service in Duluth, MN, about this upcoming cold:<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe width="640" height="480" allowfullscreen="false" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8gzSxDH1u5I" start="0"></iframe></div>These temperatures will also seep into the northeast, bringing wind chill values out in New York City down to 3 degrees below zero Sunday morning!<h2><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 080032-1769266837724.png">The South</h2>This dangerous cold will also make it's way into the southern United States end of week and into the weekend with the coldest air expected on Saturday and Sunday morning. Cold weather alerts have been issued from Kansas through the Gulf Coast for the end of the week and the weekend.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 080055-1769266860917.png">Wind chill factors here could get as cold as the negatives, which means the wintry precipitation we're expecting here will be sticking around. Some areas don't get above freezing until Monday and Tuesday of next week.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 080119-1769266891034.png"><img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-24 080125-1769266895781.png">Reminder to keep yourself bundled up to the max heading into the late week! Frostbite can occur in mere minutes when the wind chill values get below -42 degrees! It's important to limit your skin exposure to the elements during this time as well!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/web8-1768835305901.png">Make sure you stay tuned to WeatherNation for the latest on these temperatures, and how we can keep YOU safe through these frigid temperatures!

Dangerously Cold Temps Spill Into the Lower 48 Late This Week

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Dave Holder

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While much of the country will be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Rare%20Winter%20Storm%20Threatens%20Over%20130%20Million">impacted by wintry weather</a>, this incredibly dynamic system has the potential to bring an additional hazard to parts of the South: severe thunderstorms!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-23 141959-1769203203455.png">Out ahead of the system, Florida on Sunday could be feeling record-breaking heat. This warm airmass will get pulled north out ahead of the advancing cold front. Increasing instability and strong Jetstream dynamics will fuel a growing thunderstorm risk into the afternoon hours. Here is the latest timing of the severe storm chances on Sunday.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/southjanstorms-1769203377101.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>Heavy rain will be falling as early as dawn on Sunday, but as instability builds during the day, storms are expected to strengthen as they move east along the cold front. While weakening somewhat into the overnight hours, heavy downpours and strong gusty winds will remain possible. Later Monday morning, the cold front is expected to clear the Southeast coast with precipitation chances coming to an end.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Screenshot 2026-01-23 142824-1769203707890.png">Heavy rainfall will lead to impressive totals, especially across Mississippi into northern Alabama. A flash flooding threat can't be ruled out!We'll continue to update this developing story in the coming hours and days. Stay with WeatherNation for the latest, and watch your Southeast Regional Forecast every 10 minutes past the hour!

Patrick Crawford

Severe Thunderstorms Possible Across the South on Sunday

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Tracey Anthony

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A high pressure center has moved in across the NE and that has continued to pull winds out of the NW. Record snow was reported this week as isolated towns from the UP to upstate New York picked up significant snow!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 2-1769181123445.png">Lake Effect snow will continue to impact areas around the Great Lakes. The Northeast braces for widespread winter impacts over the weekend. The weekend storm will make these advisories seem like peanuts. Most expire by this evening. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.weathernationtv.com/news/Rare%20Winter%20Storm%20Threatens%20Over%20130%20Million">Read more on the Weekend Winter Weather here</a>!<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/Web 1-1769181145198.png">The coldest air of the season continues to stream across the mostly open great lake waters continuing to fuel some lake effect snow. Bursts of convective snow showers (snow squalls) will be possible across the Northeast. This snow gradually tapers off Friday into Saturday as winds shift back to the south.<video src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/2026-01-23 10-06-12-1769180805286.mp4" controls="true" width="100%"></video>The heaviest snow is expected east of the Great Lakes, especially north of I-90 in New York state. Other locations receiving snow can mostly expect between 2-4 inches.<img src="https://media.weathernationtv.com/app/uploads/2026/01/1-1769138508134.png">For more details on the Central U.S. be sure to join us :30 past the hour, for more details on the northeast be sure to join us :10 past the hour.

Dangerously Cold Temps Spill Into the Lower 48 Late This Week

Severe Thunderstorms Possible Across the South on Sunday

Snow Continues for the Great Lakes, Northeast

Rare Winter Storm Threatens Over 190 Million

Rain and Snow Return to the Southwest

Dangerously Cold Temps Spill Into the Lower 48 Late This Week

Severe Thunderstorms Possible Across the South on Sunday

Snow Continues for the Great Lakes, Northeast

Rare Winter Storm Threatens Over 190 Million

Rain and Snow Return to the Southwest

Dangerously Cold Temps Spill Into the Lower 48 Late This Week

Severe Thunderstorms Possible Across the South on Sunday

Snow Continues for the Great Lakes, Northeast