From January 23 to January 27, 2026, a very large and expansive winter storm caused deadly and catastrophic ice and snow impacts across Northern Mexico, the Southern and Northeastern United States, and Canada. It was unofficially referred to as Winter Storm Fern by The Weather Channel and various news outlets, or Snowmageddon in some areas. The storm brought over two feet of snow to some locations in New Mexico and New England and up to an inch of ice in the Southern United States. The ice storm impacts led to widespread power outages lasting for up to a week in some locations.
Developing in part from an upper-level low on January 22, the winter storm steadily moved eastwards across the Central United States, dropping a very large swath of wintry precipitation. By January 25, the system had moved into the Northeast, where it began to transition into a nor'easter. Gusty winds and heavy snow continued to occur in New England, even as it pulled away from the coastline the following day, leaving many parts of North America with a mix of rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow. Meteorologists described the storm as "potentially historic" in its impact, with the storm at one point encompassing nearly 2,000 miles (3,200 km) of length stretching from the Mexico–United States border far into eastern regions of Canada. Twenty-four U.S. state governors issued emergency declarations in response to the storm. Winter weather alerts were also issued across a similar length of terrain, affecting up to 230 million people. The storm resulted in over 10,000 flights nationwide in the United States being cancelled or postponed. Travel bans were also enacted in numerous states.
As of February 23, 181 deaths had been confirmed due to the storm, becoming the deadliest winter storm in North America since Winter Storm Uri, which caused the 2021 Texas power crisis and killed at least 290 people. Over a million customers lost power, mostly concentrated within the South where a damaging and crippling ice storm occurred, causing power lines and trees to snap and break under the immense weight. Icy conditions also led to hazardous travel afterwards. Damages are estimated to be in excess of US$4 billion. Overall, a large swath of snowfall ranging from 1–2 feet (12–24 in; 30–61 cm) occurred from Texas to Maine, and in some cases (particularly in the South) broke daily snowfall records. In the Mid-Atlantic states and Northeast, where the storm became a nor'easter, several locations along the I-95 corridor—specifically Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and New York City—saw their heaviest snowfall accumulation since a nor'easter in February 2021. Several days after the storm, the Carolinas were affected by yet another powerful winter storm, compounding recovery costs there.
Meteorological history
On January 21, 2026, news media and meteorological outlets began publicly forecasting that a large-scale winter storm would impact a significant portion of the continental United States and potentially regions of Canada. The storm originated from the effect of a wave in the upper atmosphere stretching the polar vortex, which normally sits over northern Canada and Alaska, southwards. The cold air from this effect had been forecast to interact with moisture off the coast of California and the Gulf of Mexico to create the expected ice and snow that would impact large portions of North America, especially the United States. The storm first developed on January 22 over the Pacific Ocean as a cold-core low moving southeastwards towards the Baja California peninsula. Due to the immense size and expected impact of the winter storm, a NOAA Gulfstream IV-SP flew into the system to collect data in order to improve forecasting accuracy. The system developed over the Great Plains midday January 23, as a broad trough coalesced over the Plains and Rockies. Wintry precipitation associated with the developing system began to progress to the east (primarily producing sleet and freezing rain), spreading into northern Texas, southern regions of Oklahoma, and southern Arkansas.
Later that night, a shift in precipitation to snow began over central and eastern Oklahoma and far-western Arkansas, with an increase in moisture expected to lead to snowfall rates of up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) per hour. Snow started to fall in central Arkansas in the early hours of January 24. By 15:00 UTC on January 24, the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) began issuing storm summary bulletins on the system, as a low pressure wave had settled along a cold front near the Gulf Coast, met by a barometric ridge over the Plains. Several tornado warnings and watches were issued in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, with gusts of 71 mph (114 km/h) reported in Montgomery, Alabama. The system later underwent Miller B type cyclogenesis as a new area of low pressure developed off the coast of the Southeast on January 25, strengthening as it moved northwards near New England offshore south of Cape Cod early the following day. As the system pulled away from the coastline and snow began to taper off, the WPC issued its last storm summary bulletin at 21:00 UTC on January 26.
The system brought snowfall to Maritime Canada beginning late on January 25. The storm continued along the coast of Atlantic Canada through January 27. The snowfall largely ended across the Maritimes by the morning of January 27, though Cape Breton continued to see snowfall close to noon. The system passed just south of the Avalon Peninsula late that day. Heavy snow and strong winds occurred in Newfoundland.
Preparations
United States
More than 20 state governors issued emergency declarations in anticipation of the storm. A large swath of winter weather alerts were issued by the NWS, including winter storm warnings and ice storm warnings stretching from the Four Corners region to as far northeast as Maine, encompassing a near 2,000-mile (3,200 km) stretch of contiguous alerts comprising a population of more than 230 million people.
From January 23 to January 25, the number of counties under a winter storm warning at the same time was the highest recorded. National Guardsmen from 12 states were activated in advance of the storm.
Over 560 flights in the United States were cancelled by 4:40 p.m. EST on January 23, almost 4,000 on January 24, and over 9,000 on January 25. Several sporting events were also postponed, such as the Arkansas Women's Basketball home game against Texas. Other events, like the game between the Predators and Utah Mammoth's in Nashville, were rescheduled to begin earlier.
At Camp Minden, Louisiana, 250,000 meals, 400,000 liters of water, and 30 generators were pre-positioned, according to a memo from the Federal Emergency Management Agency issued on January 23. There were also shuttle drivers stationed in Pennsylvania, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia to transport materials quickly. Additionally, 28 urban search and rescue teams were on standby.
Southwest
A state of emergency was declared by New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. The emergency declaration allocated $200,000 to support communities in New Mexico.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency on January 21, mobilizing the state's Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate response resources. The Texas Rangers cancelled a Fan Fest event that was set to take place on January 24. DoorDash activated their Severe Weather Protocol and temporarily suspended its operations in Northwest Texas, including the cities of Amarillo and Lubbock, from January 23 at 7:00 p.m. CST to January 24 at 12:00 p.m. CST due to the hazardous road conditions.
South
Governor Kay Ivey declared a state of emergency for 19 counties in northern Alabama, mainly for the likelihood of significant ice storm damage.
On January 22, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency, and the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management was authorized $250,000 from the Disaster Response and Recovery Fund of Arkansas.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also declared a state of emergency and mobilized 500 National Guardsmen.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency on January 18 and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness activated its Crisis Actions Team. Residents were noted to have bought firewood in order to stay warm during the storm and its aftermath. The Louisiana Department of Transportation (LDOTD) said that crews were stocked on deicing solutions and that they would have crews pre-treating roads beginning in shifts on January 23. Entergy stated that they would monitor the power situation and respond "as soon as it is safe to do so".
A state of emergency was declared by Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves beginning on January 23.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a state of emergency on January 21.
Mid-Atlantic
A state of preparedness was issued by Governor Patrick Morrisey for West Virginia on January 21. A state of emergency was issued by Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger on January 22. Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a state of preparedness. The University of Maryland allowed for move-ins for the second semester as early as January 23 and waived early arrival fees for that day due to the inclement weather.
A state of emergency was declared for New York by Governor Kathy Hochul on January 23. Early voting for special elections in New York City were cancelled for January 25. LaGuardia Airport closed at 1 p.m. on January 25 during the storm while NJ Transit and NYC Ferry also suspended service. All state parks in New Jersey were closed on January 24 at 5:00 p.m. SEPTA also began suspending service on January 25 at 2:00 p.m.
States of emergencies were also declared by Maryland Governor Wes Moore, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, and Washington, D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser.
Midwest
Indiana Governor Mike Braun declared a state of emergency and a statewide disaster declaration on January 24. The declaration came after heavy snow accumulation, with some reports indicating 1–4 inches (2.5–10.2 cm) of snowfall accumulation on the evening of January 24. The declaration was also issued in anticipation of forecasts released earlier on January 24 projecting 12–18 inches (30–46 cm) of snowfall accumulation in the state from January 24 to January 25, primarily in the southern portions of the state.
In Iowa, cold temperatures required schools to be cancelled on January 23 and delayed on January 26.
Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe issued a state of emergency and activated the state's National Guard as well as its Emergency Operations Center. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly declared a state of disaster emergency on the morning of January 23.
Ohio Valley
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee declared a state of emergency for the entirety of Tennessee on January 22. A Memphis Grizzlies game against the Denver Nuggets was postponed. The Ohio Department of Transportation mobilized 1,500 snowplows. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency on January 23. Judge-Executive Tim Hutchins declared a state of emergency for Nelson County, Kentucky. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency on January 24 and suspended normal state purchasing requirements to procure necessary resources. Across Ohio and parts of Northern Kentucky, numerous snow emergencies were issued.
New England
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont declared a state of emergency on the night of January 24 and scheduled it to take effect on January 25 at noon. Concurrent with the emergency declaration was a statewide travel ban for all semi trucks, RVs, tankers, and vehicles towing trailers. The truck ban was lifted on January 26 at 6:30 a.m. EST. Tweed New Haven Airport was shut down in result of the storm.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency on January 24. Boston Public Schools suspended classes for January 26.
Canada
Across southern Ontario, yellow snowfall warnings were issued from Windsor to Ottawa by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). In the Greater Toronto Area, an orange-level winter storm warning was issued by ECCC on January 24 in anticipation of 20–40 centimetres (7.9–15.7 in) of snowfall accumulation in the area. Toronto's 311 line was reinforced with additional staff. Five warming centers and two surge spaces were set to remain open in the city. Drop-in programs also had extended hours. In Vaughan, the city announced it had over 230 pieces of winter maintenance equipment ready. In Brampton, Mayor Patrick Brown stated the city had prepared over 360 snow removal vehicles.
Across southern Quebec, 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) of snow was forecasted, with snowfall rates of up to 1–2 cm (0.39–0.79 in) and gusts of up to 40 km/h (25 mph). A yellow snowfall warning was issued by the ECCC for portions of southern Quebec and the Montreal area. In the Quebec City Area, a special weather statement was in effect for 10 cm (3.9 in) of snow. The Quebec Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility stated it would utilize abrasives rather than road salt due to the extreme cold.
In the Maritimes, Environment and Climate Change Canada issued yellow winter storm warnings for southern Nova Scotia while yellow snowfall warnings were issued for the rest of Nova Scotia and for the southern half of New Brunswick on January 25. A special weather statement was also put in effect for Prince Edward Island.
A yellow winter storm warning was issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada for eastern and southern Newfoundland on January 26.
Mexico
The National Meteorological Service issued a winter weather alert for Northern Mexico on January 23. Classes were suspended in Tamaulipas due to low temperatures.
Impact
United States
By the afternoon of January 24, over 135,000 power outages were reported. Almost 700,000 were without power by the morning of January 25. By mid-day, that number was over 1 million, primarily in Texas, Louisiana, the Mississippi Delta, and the southern Ohio River basin. That number still rested around 700,000 by mid-day on January 26. Meteorologists from the National Weather Service estimated that there were around 300 million people under winter precipitation and/or cold warnings or advisories. By mid-morning of January 26, over half of the contiguous United States was covered by snow.