A colossal and potentially record-breaking winter storm, named Fern, is currently carving a destructive path eastward across the United States. This meteorological monster has already unleashed a devastating blanket of ice and snow across the Southern and Plains states, and now sets its sights on the densely populated Northeast.
Unprecedented Scale of Disruption
More than 220 million residents across 34 states are now under active winter weather warnings, a figure representing almost two-thirds of the entire American population. The storm's trajectory is taking it from the southern Rocky Mountains directly towards New England, promising severe impacts for millions more.
Northeast Braces for Historic Snowfall
Forecasters are predicting an extreme weather event for the Northeast corridor. Regions including New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Washington DC could experience snowfall rates of up to one inch per hour starting Sunday morning. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Storm Prediction Center has issued stark warnings.
'The heavy snowfall potential from Pennsylvania and New Jersey northward should continue through the mid to late morning,' stated NOAA meteorologists. 'In northern Virginia, Maryland and Delaware, a changeover to freezing rain is expected by late morning.'
The tri-state area is forecast to receive up to 16 inches of snow, with the epicentre of the chaos expected to hit by mid-morning Sunday. Officials have warned that the damage to critical infrastructure from this event could surpass the typical aftermath of a hurricane.
Southern States Experience Rare and Destructive Phenomena
As the storm advanced, it first battered the South with extraordinary force. The region witnessed a rare meteorological event known as 'thunder sleet', where lightning and thunder coincide with freezing precipitation, creating large, hazardous ice pellets. This has led to catastrophic conditions on the ground.
Initial impacts have been severe, with over 802,000 households left without power across Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. There have been numerous reports of vehicles colliding with fallen trees and trees crashing onto houses, particularly in areas like DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, where more than half of all electric customers lost service.
'We got limbs that are dragging the ground,' said Mark Pierce, a spokesperson for the local sheriff's office. 'These trees are just completely saturated with ice.'
Transportation Network in Chaos
The nation's travel infrastructure is experiencing paralysis. Over 13,000 flights were cancelled over the weekend, with Sunday's cancellations already representing the highest single-day total since the coronavirus pandemic began, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Major airports are facing complete operational shutdowns. All Saturday flights were cancelled at Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City, with Sunday morning services also scrapped. Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport, a critical national hub, saw more than 700 departing flights cancelled on Saturday alone. Significant disruptions are also piling up at airports in Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, and Charlotte.
Government Response and Official Warnings
State and federal authorities are mobilising at an unprecedented scale. President Donald Trump had approved emergency declarations for at least a dozen states by Saturday, with more expected. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has pre-positioned commodities, staff, and search and rescue teams across numerous states.
'We are expecting a storm the likes of which we haven't seen in years,' declared New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill on Saturday, announcing strict commercial vehicle travel restrictions and a 35 mph speed limit on highways. 'It's a good weekend to stay indoors.'
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem echoed the call for caution, stating, 'We just ask that everyone would be smart – stay home if possible.'
Dangerous Temperature Plunge and Record Cold
Accompanying the snowfall are perilously low temperatures. Forecasts predict lows of 18°F in Pittsburgh, 11°F in Manhattan, 9°F in Boston, and a frigid 3°F in Portland, Maine. The Midwest is experiencing even more extreme conditions, with wind chills as low as minus 40°F, a level at which frostbite can set in within just 10 minutes of exposure.
Rhinelander, Wisconsin, recorded a temperature of minus 36°F on Saturday morning, marking the coldest reading in that location for almost three decades. Significant snow accumulations have been recorded nationwide, with over 23 inches in the Rockies near Crested Butte, Colorado, and eight inches in north-central Kansas and Gibson, Arkansas.
Public Urged to Prepare for Prolonged Crisis
Meteorologists are warning that recovery will be slow. 'The snow and the ice will be very, very slow to melt and won't be going away anytime soon, and that's going to hinder any recovery efforts,' explained Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
This has triggered widespread public preparation. Many Americans have begun panic-buying frozen food, tinned goods, and essential supplies as they brace to hunker down for several days of extreme cold and torrential snow.
Experts and organisations like the American Red Cross are advising citizens to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Recommendations include:
- Stocking up on ice, alternative heat sources, blankets, and warm clothing.
- Using cheap Styrofoam coolers to preserve food if refrigerators fail.
- Assembling a comprehensive emergency kit with one gallon of water per person, tinned food, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, a seven-day supply of medications, and portable phone chargers.
- Keeping vehicle gas tanks full in case of emergency evacuation orders.
As Storm Fern continues its relentless march, the nation remains on high alert, facing one of the most significant winter weather events in recent history.
