Mid-Atlantic United States — A significant winter storm followed by expanding Arctic cold is expected to affect much of the eastern and central United States from January 22 through January 26, according to the NOAA Weather Prediction Center.
Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey)
The Mid-Atlantic is expected to see snow and ice impacts beginning late Friday into the weekend as the storm shifts east. Northern areas, including Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey, have a higher likelihood of accumulating snow, while Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware face an increased risk of freezing rain and sleet, which could result in dangerous travel conditions and power outages. Behind the storm, well below-normal temperatures and sub-zero wind chills are possible by early next week.
Southeast (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama)
Farther south, the primary threat is dangerous ice accumulation, particularly across the Carolinas and parts of Georgia, where freezing rain may develop as cold air presses south. Even light ice could lead to tree damage, power disruptions, and hazardous road conditions. Temperatures are expected to fall sharply after the storm, with single-digit wind chills possible as far south as the southern Appalachians.
Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley (Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia)
This region sits near the transition zone and may experience a mix of heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Travel impacts are likely, especially where precipitation type changes rapidly. Arctic air moving in behind the system will bring dangerous wind chills through the weekend.
Central Plains and Midwest (Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana)
The northern side of the storm is expected to produce widespread heavy snowfall, with snow-covered roads and reduced visibility likely. Sub-zero wind chills are forecast to expand southward across this region between January 22 and January 26, increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.
Northern Plains and Upper Midwest
The coldest air associated with this outbreak will remain focused here, where wind chills well below zero are expected, some potentially reaching dangerous, life-threatening levels, especially at night and during early morning hours.
Forecasters caution that while confidence is high in a widespread, impactful event, exact snowfall, ice amounts, and timing remain uncertain. Residents across affected regions are urged to prepare now, monitor official forecasts, and plan for travel disruptions, power outages, and prolonged cold exposure.
