Winter Storm Paralyzes US as 8,000 Flights Canceled

Over 8,000 flights grounded. 140 million people under winter storm warnings. The most powerful storm of the season is bearing down on America with a vengeance that meteorologists are comparing to hurricane-force destruction.

Saturday alone saw 3,400 flights delayed or canceled, with more than 5,000 additional cancellations scheduled for Sunday, according to FlightAware. The weekend's total flight disruptions have surpassed 8,000, stranding travelers across the nation.

A 'Mean Storm' with Hurricane-Level Impact

"This is a mean storm," Jacob Asherman, a meteorologist at the US Weather Prediction Center, told Reuters. He described it as the biggest of the season in terms of both intensity and scope—a rare combination that has emergency officials on high alert.

The most devastating conditions are expected across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, where ice accumulation up to one inch thick threatens to coat tree limbs, power lines, and roadways. Forecasters warn the ice damage could rival that of a hurricane, with the added complexity of sub-freezing temperatures making repairs exponentially more difficult.

Life-threatening wind chills have plunged below minus 45 degrees Celsius in the Dakotas and Minnesota. "Exposure to such cold without proper clothing can lead to hypothermia very, very quickly," Asherman warned.

New Mayor's First Major Test

The storm represents the first major crisis for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who took office just weeks ago. Speaking to local station NY1, he promised the city's sanitation workforce would transform into "the nation's largest snow-fighting operation" ahead of heavy snowfall expected Sunday.

Governors across more than a dozen states have declared emergencies or urged residents to stay home. Texas Governor Greg Abbott told residents his state's Department of Transportation was pretreating roads while urging people to "stay home if possible."

President Donald Trump coordinated federal response efforts, announcing via social media that the Federal Emergency Management Agency was "fully prepared to respond."

Long-Term Power Outage Fears

Utility companies are bracing for extended power outages—a particularly concerning prospect given the storm's timing and scope. Ice-coated trees and power lines can continue falling long after the storm passes, complicating restoration efforts and potentially leaving communities without power for days or weeks.

The geographic scope is staggering: roughly 140 million people from New Mexico to New England remain under winter storm warnings. Snow began falling Friday across parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, serving as an ominous preview of the weekend's main event.