Story perspectives

Massive Winter Storm Hits 213 Million Across U.S.

1/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

A massive winter storm continues across the United States from New Mexico to New England, with the National Weather Service warning of sleet, freezing rain, and heavy snowfall through Monday.
Meteorologist Allison Santorelli notes the storm's 2,000-mile spread.
Bitterly cold temperatures are expected to follow and hinder recovery as ice and snow persist.
About 213 million people are under winter weather warnings, and nearly 840,000 customers are without power.

History

Historical Context

The Great Blizzard of 1888, which struck from March 11-14, paralyzed the northeastern United States, causing over 400 deaths and disrupting transportation from Chesapeake Bay to Maine. This catastrophic storm prompted significant infrastructure changes, including the development of underground rail systems in New York and Boston, highlighting the need for improved emergency preparedness against extreme weather events that continue to challenge urban resilience today.

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Story summary

A massive winter storm continues across the United States from New Mexico to New England, with the National Weather Service warning of sleet, freezing rain, and heavy snowfall through Monday.
Meteorologist Allison Santorelli notes the storm's 2,000-mile spread.
Bitterly cold temperatures are expected to follow and hinder recovery as ice and snow persist.
About 213 million people are under winter weather warnings, and nearly 840,000 customers are without power.

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