Winter Storm Warnings Issued as Experts Say ‘Most Extreme of the Season’ Could Cause 'Crippling' Impacts

This article was updated on January 21 with National Weather Service preparation advice, new modeling about the affected areas, and additional meteorologist alerts about storm severity.

This winter season has already created several startling headlines about powerful winter storms. Recent reports about 20 inches of snow, 50 mph winds and -15°F wind chills have even become somewhat normalized.

As each of the season's other extreme forecasts has been released, the meteorologists have mostly remained measured and calm. However, meteorologists are striking a whole new tone as they try to warn people about the brutal conditions that are expected to slam America this upcoming weekend.

The National Weather Service Is Telling Residents To Prepare for This Storm Right Now

With the potential for impactful wintry weather on the rise for the end of the week for many of you, it's wise to ask: Are you prepared for a winter storm? If the forecast calls for winter weather in YOUR area, begin preparing NOW. Don’t wait until the last minute.… https://t.co/r6GrEX3jJA pic.twitter.com/UH7V3MlCm6

— National Weather Service (@NWS) January 20, 2026

Due to how dangerous the impending storm is believed to be, the National Weather Service’s X account has posted an image guiding people in the affected states on how they should be preparing now. In fact, the post stylized the word NOW to drive home how important doing these things could be. They advise getting emergency supplies for your home and car, checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working, and gassing up your car and any heating sources a few days out. Importantly, it is now less than a few days out. The day before the storm hits, they caution people in affected areas to adjust their plans, monitor warnings through multiple means, and bring pets indoors while ensuring they have water. Once the storm hits and after, the NWS says to check on others, properly ventilate heat sources, keep any generators you use at least 20 feet from your home, and take it easy when shoveling.

Weather Experts Continue To Raise Alarms About This Winter Storm System

On January 21, the Washington Post's meteorologist, Ben Noll, wrote on X about how far the effects of this weekend's storm are forecasted to be felt. "During the storm's peak on Sunday, around 55 percent of all people living in the contiguous United States are forecast to experience snow, sleet or freezing rain simultaneously."

During the storm's peak on Sunday, around 55 percent of all people living in the contiguous United States are forecast to experience snow, sleet or freezing rain simultaneously. pic.twitter.com/RCYd076KF8

— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) January 21, 2026

The meteorologist Jim Cantore also posted on X the same day to draw attention to the possibility of more than an inch of ice buildup affecting many due to the storm, calling it a potential "disaster." "It's not out of the realm of possibility that many of you in this 'CRIPPLING' area see ICE ACCRETION over 1". In a storm like this, FREEZING RAIN of that magnitude is a disaster. This could be where some of the biggest impacts lie simply because of extended power loss with very cold air to follow the storm. This is not exact, but I wanted you to see where you need to plan for extended power outages from TX in LA, MS, TN over to GA, NC and SC… This is a huge area of real estate. Expect more fine tuning over time."

As the winter storm nears, models about where it is expected to hit hardest have changed after it shifted North, as a National Weather Service Prediction Center X post revealed. The post warns that the regions of America that are expected to be hit include the Mid-South, Carolinas, Mid-Atlantic, East Coast, Southern Rockies, and the Plains. However, it is worth noting that some non-official sources are painting an even wider view of the storm. On January 21, the X account for Fox Weather claimed that 30 states and 175 million people could be affected.

Guidance for the Major Winter Storm shifted north a little overnight, further expanding the areas forecast to be impacted Friday through this weekend. Here are the latest Key Messages. pic.twitter.com/ljRYn7zyyR

— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 21, 2026

Weather Experts Seem Genuinely Worried About ‘Crippling’ Winter Storm That Is Heading for America

An article on the American Meteorological Society website describes how they are expected to use measured language while describing powerful storms. "It is very important that there be no embellishment or exaggeration of facts as these may make a situation appear better or worse than it is."

With that in mind, the fact that trained weather experts are not holding back as they sound the alarm about a winter storm that is expected to strike America starting on January 23 speaks volumes. The meteorologist for America’s Morning Headquarters, Jordan Steele, recently warned his followers about the potential for power outages lasting days, school shutdowns, and traffic stopping on the highways. "UGH -- this is not good. Plan now! Plan for going day(s) without power this weekend. School cancellations next week. Do not plan a road trip this weekend. This could be a situation where people get stuck on the highway. @weatherchannel will be covering this nonstop this week."

Still not done, Steele later went on to predict that the storm will be the biggest that some people will have seen in years. "A lot can change depending on the placement of the HIGH. But this will be the biggest winter storm of the season. And for some of us -- the biggest storm in the last SEVERAL years."

A lot can change depending on the placement of the HIGH. But this will be the biggest winter storm of the season. And for some of us -- the biggest storm in the last SEVERAL years. https://t.co/Iv81recTaA

— Jordan Steele (@JordanSteele) January 20, 2026

Steele is far from the only one raising concerns. Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd is a former American Meteorological Society President and a University of Georgia professor. While writing for Forbes, Dr. Shepherd cautioned that the true extent of the storm could still change. However, he wrote that he believes it will likely cause "crippling" effects.

"It is likely going to be a widespread, high-impact event that starts affecting the Southern Plains on Friday, the Southeast on Saturday and the Mid-Atlantic/East Coast region late Saturday into Sunday. One thing that also concerns me is that it will likely be a long-duration event. With temperatures well into the teens and 20s, the ice storm on the southern side will be crippling in terms of travel conditions, trees and power outages."

Dr. Shepherd also wrote about what it takes to create a storm system this severe and why he believes those requirements are being met in some areas of America. "Winter storms of this potential magnitude can happen in the South, but they need a perfect set of conditions, including a deep penetration of cold air. The U.S. South will have no problem meeting that requirement. NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center wrote Tuesday morning, 'All model guidance shows arctic air making it down to the Gulf and East Coasts, which will clash with southern stream energy to produce a high-impact winter storm across the southern tier.'"

On January 20, CNN's meteorologist, Chris Dolce wrote an article about what he expects to see this weekend. Just like his colleagues, he issued a dire prediction, calling it the "most extreme" winter storm of the season so far. "A major winter storm — the season’s most extremeso far — is set to lash the eastern half of the United States with damaging ice and heavy snow late this week. It’s all being fed by a brutal blast of Arctic air that’s bringing the season’s coldest air to date."

The same day, the National Weather Service Prediction Center X account posted two images meant to describe what conditions this weather system will bring. In those two images, the NWS predicts heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet, hazardous travel conditions, power outages, tree damage, -50°F wind chills, and life-threatening cold.

The latest on the major winter storm and extreme cold expected later this week. pic.twitter.com/m6MRFQQXcT

— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 20, 2026

AccuWeather's senior meteorologist, Alex Sosnowski, wrote an article that summarizes many of the same points. But, he also warned that the storm is going to cause such extreme cold temperatures that property damage is a real possibility. "During and after the storm, frigid conditions, with temperatures dropping into the 20s, teens, and even the single digits Fahrenheit, may cause pipes to burst and lead to additional property damage."

Unfortunately, the effects of this storm aren't only going to be severe, but it will also have widespread effects, according to a USA Today article that quoted Sosnowski describing where it will hit. "The ingredients are coming into place for a long-duration storm that brings a substantial amount of snow, sleet, and freezing rain from Texas and southern portions of the Plains to the lower and middle parts of the Mississippi Valley late this week and then into the East this weekend."