Record Sleet and Ice Accumulation Threatens Infrastructure Across Forty States
A historic weather system named Winter Storm Fern is currently battering the eastern two thirds of the nation, it affects nearly 220 million residents across 40 states. The storm intensified on Friday and continues through Monday, it brings rare sleet totals and catastrophic ice accumulation to vulnerable regions.
Comparisons to Historic 1993 Storm Raise Alarms Among Meteorologists
Weather experts compare this event to the Storm of the Century from 1993, this is due to its massive geographic footprint. The current system features a rare atmospheric setup, a deep freezing layer creates exceptional sleet rather than just snow or rain. This distinction matters because sleet is significantly heavier and harder to remove from infrastructure than typical snowfall. Energy officials are monitoring the situation closely, they aim to avoid the grid failures seen during previous winter events in Texas. The sheer size of the storm means resources are stretched thin across nearly half the country.
Heavy Precipitation and Freezing Conditions Span From Texas to Maine
The storm creates a 2,000 mile front of severe weather, it stretches from the Southern Rockies all the way to Maine. Meteorologists report up to 3.5 inches of sleet in North Texas, this represents a total rarely seen in American weather history. Widespread snowfall of 6 to 12 inches covers the Ohio Valley, New England prepares for up to two feet of accumulation by Monday afternoon. Ice is causing major issues in the South, layers up to one inch thick are snapping power lines in Mississippi and Appalachia.
The aviation sector faces massive interruptions, data shows over 14,500 flight cancellations between Saturday and Monday. Major hubs like Chicago and Atlanta have effectively stopped ground operations due to the hazardous runway conditions. Scientific aircraft are flying directly into the atmospheric rivers to gather data, this helps forecasters predict the movement of the system.
Emergency Declarations Mobilize Federal and State Resources
President Donald Trump approved emergency declarations for 12 states, this action mobilizes the National Guard and FEMA resources. State leaders in New York and Virginia declared their own emergencies, they enacted strict travel bans on major highways to prevent stranded motorists. The Department of Energy also issued emergency orders to help stabilize power grids in affected regions.
Millions Face Power Outages and Dangerous Cold Following Storm
More than 230,000 utility customers are currently without power, restoration efforts in the South could take up to seven days due to blocked roads. Authorities confirmed at least four fatalities, these deaths resulted largely from vehicle accidents on icy roadways. A severe arctic air mass will settle in immediately after the precipitation ends, wind chills are forecast to drop to 50 degrees below zero in northern regions.
Schools in major cities like Dallas and Philadelphia remain closed, officials urge residents to delay travel until crews clear the hazardous debris.
