Winter Storm Fern disrupts travel and power across the U.S. as cancellations mount

A storm that won’t let up quickly

A sprawling winter storm system—widely referred to as Winter Storm Fern—continued to batter large parts of the United States on Monday, January 26, 2026, bringing a punishing mix of heavy snow, freezing rain and extreme cold. The impacts have been felt from the South through the Mid-Atlantic and into New England, with widespread hazardous road conditions, school and office closures, and emergency warnings urging residents to limit travel.

The most damaging element in many southern and border states has been ice, which can topple trees and power lines even when snowfall is modest. Utility crews have been racing to restore service where outages ballooned over the weekend, while local governments opened warming centers for residents facing prolonged cold without heat.

Power outages and cold exposure risks

Power failures were concentrated across parts of the South, where freezing rain and sleet weighed down infrastructure. As of Monday morning, reports cited roughly 700,000 customers without power in the region, with some states seeing especially large clusters of outages. Officials have emphasized that the combination of low temperatures and downed power lines can turn a short disruption into a dangerous public-health event.

Local authorities have also been tracking weather-related deaths, including suspected hypothermia cases, as temperatures in some areas plunged well below seasonal averages. Emergency managers have urged people to check on neighbors, avoid driving on untreated roads, and use space heaters and generators safely to reduce fire and carbon monoxide risks.

Air travel hit hard as airlines try to recover

Airlines and airports faced continued disruption as the storm’s aftereffects lingered. Monday’s schedule saw thousands of U.S. flight cancellations and additional delays, extending a weekend of major interruptions. Weather and de-icing constraints at key hubs, combined with aircraft and crew positioning problems, made recovery uneven—especially along the East Coast corridor.

Travelers have been advised to monitor airline alerts closely, rebook early if possible, and allow extra time for ground transportation, which has also been slowed by snow-covered roads and icy conditions in many metro areas.

What comes next

Forecasters expect conditions to gradually improve as the storm moves offshore, but they caution that persistent cold can keep roads icy and prolong restoration work. Even after snowfall ends, refreezing overnight and lingering wind chills may extend the period of risk for vulnerable populations, especially those without reliable heat or shelter.

Officials continue to stress practical steps: reduce travel where possible, conserve phone battery and keep devices charged, stock essentials including water and medications, and seek warming centers if home temperatures become unsafe. For people in affected areas, the next 24–48 hours are expected to be the critical window for recovery and restoration.