Storm Spreads Across Two‑Fifths of Nation Beginning Saturday morning, a massive low‑pressure system expanded to cover roughly 40 % of the United States, affecting dozens of states with snow, sleet and freezing rain [1][2]. By early Sunday afternoon, about 213 million people were placed under winter‑weather advisories [1][2]. The National Weather Service highlighted a continuous ice band stretching from east Texas to North Carolina, raising concerns for widespread hazardous conditions [1][2].

Ice Accumulation Could Match Hurricane Damage Forecasters warned that the expected ice thickness could produce destruction comparable to a hurricane, a rare comparison for winter weather events [1][2]. The NWS emphasized the “potentially catastrophic” nature of the ice, noting that prolonged freezing‑rain periods can overload power lines and trees [1][2]. Experts cited the combination of heavy snow and extensive ice as a scenario that could rival hurricane‑scale impacts [1][2].

Snowfall Totals Reach Up to 31 Inches NOAA’s preliminary measurements recorded 31 inches of snow at Bonito Lake, Texas, and 23 inches at Crested Butte, Colorado, with forecasts of 22 inches for Oklahoma City and 18.5 inches for Sawpit, Arizona [1][2]. In contrast, Dallas, Texas saw only a few inches, while the primary threat there remained ice accumulation [1][2]. The uneven distribution underscores the storm’s complex moisture dynamics across the affected region [1][2].

Arctic Air Keeps Temperatures Well Below Freezing A surge of frigid Arctic air accompanied the storm, driving temperatures well below normal throughout the weekend [1][2]. Sub‑freezing conditions intensified snow, sleet and freezing‑rain rates, increasing the risk of ice buildup on roads and power infrastructure [1][2]. The cold air mass is expected to persist, prolonging hazardous travel and utility challenges [1][2].

Homeland Security Secretary Labels Storm Largest in Decades DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking at a FEMA press conference, described the event as “the largest storm that we’ve seen impact the most states in this big of a population in possibly decades” [1][2]. Her statement aimed to underscore the storm’s unprecedented scale and to encourage public preparedness [1][2].