Monster winter storm spreads across U.S., grounding flights and threatening days of power outages
A sprawling winter storm is sweeping from the southern Rockies toward the Northeast, bringing a hazardous mix of snow, sleet and ice that has already canceled thousands of flights and strained power grids and road crews across multiple states.
A major winter storm continued to expand across the United States this weekend, pushing heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain across a broad corridor and prompting widespread travel warnings.
Airlines scrubbed thousands of flights as conditions deteriorated, while transportation officials warned that ice—more than snow—could be the most destructive factor because it can down trees and power lines and linger for days.
Emergency declarations and storm preparations intensified in several states as forecasters cautioned that recovery could be slow due to prolonged cold that limits melting and complicates restoration work.
What to watch next
- Whether catastrophic icing bands shift toward major population centers
- How quickly utilities can restore service in areas with repeated tree and line failures
- Secondary impacts: supply delays, school closures and additional flight disruptions