Storm Tracks From Southwest to Northeast Across Two‑Thirds of U.S. Forecasters say the system will form Friday over New Mexico and Texas, then surge east through the Deep South before curving north along the Atlantic seaboard toward New England [1][2]. Ice glaze is expected from Texas through the Deep South, while up to a foot of snow could fall from Oklahoma to Boston [1][2]. Wind‑chill values may dip to minus 50 °F in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota, and roughly 160 million people are under winter‑storm or cold‑weather watches [2].

Officials Mobilize Crews and Issue Outages Preparations Governors across the region have declared emergencies and placed thousands of utility workers on standby to protect the grid, recalling the 2021 Texas freeze that crippled power supplies [1][2]. State officials are urging residents to prepare for prolonged outages, and utility companies report pre‑positioning crews and equipment ahead of the storm [1]. Emergency management agencies are coordinating with local jurisdictions to prioritize shelter and heating assistance [2].

Airlines Cancel Hundreds of Flights as Storm Approaches Major carriers scrapped about 250 flights on Friday and an additional 400 on Saturday, hitting hubs in Dallas, Atlanta, Oklahoma City and Tulsa [1]. The cancellations reflect concerns over icy runways and severe cold that could affect aircraft performance [1]. Road agencies have already dispatched brine trucks from Oklahoma to Tennessee, and travel advisories warn of hazardous conditions on interstate corridors [2].

Schools, Sports and Events Shift to Remote or Cancelled Formats Chicago and Des Moines school districts canceled classes, while Wake County, North Carolina, planned three online‑learning days [2]. College athletics postponed or advanced games, and the Texas Rangers called off their Fan Fest event [2]. Shoppers stocked up on essentials, and local authorities reported heightened public preparedness activities [1].