Jan 20, 2026 – Forecasters issue historic ice‑storm warnings for the South and Southeast, projecting 1‑2 inches of ice that could cripple travel and snap power lines as Winter Storm Fern moves from the Southern Plains toward the Mid‑Atlantic; meteorologists highlight forecast uncertainty and map the hardest‑hit cities; WSVN meteorologist Dylan Federico urges residents along the I‑20 corridor to stock food, water, charge devices, protect pipes and “prepare like a hurricane is coming” [3]; Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore warns of a dangerous mix of ice, snow and prolonged outages, noting ice could approach an inch and that Arctic air will lock in freezing conditions for days [3]; Central Texas faces about 2.5 days below freezing, raising pipe‑burst risk [3].

Jan 22, 2026 – The American Red Cross cautions that power outages from Winter Storm Fern pose the greatest threat, with some lasting up to a week, and spokesperson Stephanie Fox describes the impending cold and snowfall as “life‑threatening for many households” [2]; officials project the storm could halt travel for days, affecting over 180 million people from Texas to New England and potentially canceling up to 4,000 flights nationwide [2]; Dallas is forecast to remain below freezing for 48‑60 hours, prompting a household preparedness checklist that includes flashlights, batteries, non‑perishables, warm clothing and sand for traction [2]; communities plan warming centers and emergency‑alert registrations to protect vulnerable residents [2].

Jan 23, 2026 – Former President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social that he has been briefed on the record cold wave and historic Winter Storm Fern, asserts the Trump Administration is coordinating with state and local officials and that FEMA is fully prepared to respond, urging the public to stay safe and warm [1]; Texas Governor Greg Abbott notes the state has added thousands of utility workers and is “better prepared than during the 2021 blackout,” reflecting lessons from that historic power failure [1]; FEMA places nearly 30 search‑and‑rescue teams on standby and pre‑positions over 7 million meals, 600 000 blankets and 300 generators for imminent emergencies [1].

Jan 24, 2026 – Winter Storm Fern sweeps across the nation, threatening roughly 50 % of the U.S. population with snow, sleet, ice and wind chills as low as –41 °F in North Dakota, while 182 million people sit under winter‑storm or ice warnings and over 210 million face cold‑weather advisories [1]; airlines cancel thousands of flights (over 1 000 delays on Friday and about 2 300 scrapped for Saturday), schools close in Chicago, the Midwest and Philadelphia, and major events such as the Grand Ole Opry and Louisiana Carnival parades are altered or canceled [1]; Boston declares a cold emergency and Connecticut coordinates possible travel restrictions as forecasters expect up to a foot of snow from Washington, D.C., through New York City to Boston [1]; utility companies brace for widespread outages, especially in ice‑prone areas, while FEMA and state agencies mobilize resources to address power loss and shelter needs [1].