Story perspectives

Severe Winter Storm to Bring Record Lows Nationwide

1/23/2026

Center

Governor Activates Emergency

The storm will sweep a 2,000-mile corridor from the southern Plains to the Northeast with record low temperatures.
Wind chills could reach 50 below zero in Upper Midwest.
Texas and Southern states face 50 record lows from Sunday to Tuesday.
The National Weather Service warns of heavy snow and ice and outages for millions.
Governor Greg Abbott has activated state emergency resources.

Left

Storm Impacts Emergency

A major winter storm is expected to impact half of the U.S., prompting 13 states to declare emergencies.
The storm, driven by Arctic air, may affect at least 230 million people, leading to power outages and hazardous travel conditions.
The National Weather Service forecasts snowfall exceeding 12 inches in several areas.
FEMA has activated its response team as residents prepare by stocking up on supplies.
Experts assert that climate change contributes to more extreme weather events, despite Donald Trump's criticism of climate science.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of 1888, from March 11-14, paralyzed the Eastern United States, causing over 400 deaths and disrupting transportation with snowdrifts reaching 50 feet. This catastrophic event prompted infrastructure changes, including burying telegraph lines. Today’s winter storm, affecting 230 million people, highlights the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, often attributed to climate change, challenging emergency preparedness.

1 of 3

Governor Activates Emergency

The storm will sweep a 2,000-mile corridor from the southern Plains to the Northeast with record low temperatures.
Wind chills could reach 50 below zero in Upper Midwest.
Texas and Southern states face 50 record lows from Sunday to Tuesday.
The National Weather Service warns of heavy snow and ice and outages for millions.
Governor Greg Abbott has activated state emergency resources.

1 / 3