Much of the country east of the Rocky Mountains is bracing for the worst winter storm of the season, which will be followed by the coldest temperatures in years.
For many people on January 22nd, especially in the southern half of the country, it meant going to the grocery store and preparing their homes and businesses for what was to come.
More than 175 million people were receiving some type of severe winter weather message from the National Weather Service, said Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the NWS Weather Prediction Center. The messages include warnings and alerts for winter storms and extreme cold, including heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet and double-digit freezing temperatures.
These maps show what meteorologists are predicting through January 25th.
Where are the areas most at risk for snow and ice?
The darkest red areas on this map indicate areas that could be at least moderately affected by snow and ice by January 26th.
Warnings, advisories, and alerts have been issued across the country.
extreme wind cooling values
Temperatures can reach freezing in much of the northern half of the country, with the coldest temperatures occurring in the upper Midwest and northern New England.
snow forecast
The National Weather Service said widespread snowfall of 5 to 15 inches is expected, with isolated amounts of more than 18 inches in some high-elevation areas.
Freezing rain expected to continue until January 25th
Dinah Boyles Pulver, a national correspondent for USA TODAY, covers climate change, weather, the environment and other news. Contact dpulver@usatoday.com or @dinahvp on Bluesky or dinahvp.77 on X or Signal.
