According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the storm is expected to affect around 200 million people as it moves eastward from the High Plains, bringing heavy snowfall, freezing rain, strong winds, and dangerously low temperatures. Forecasters warned that conditions could worsen over the next 48 hours, significantly impacting transportation, power supply, and daily life.

More than 7,000 flights have been cancelled across the US over the past two days, flight-tracking website FlightAware reported. On Saturday alone, over 3,200 flights were grounded, followed by nearly 4,800 cancellations on Sunday. Major airports in Washington DC, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, and Boston are among the worst affected.

The storm is forecast to dump between 10 and 14 inches of snow in parts of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with some regions from Colorado to West Virginia and Massachusetts likely to receive more than a foot of snowfall. Winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour are expected to further reduce visibility and complicate road travel. Hailstorms were reported in North Texas late Friday, while freezing temperatures spread across the southeastern US.

Fearing prolonged disruptions, residents in several states rushed to grocery stores, leading to shortages of essential items such as water, eggs, butter, and meat. Authorities urged people to avoid panic buying and limit travel unless absolutely necessary.

State governments activated emergency response systems, deploying National Guard units, snowplows, and rescue teams. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said more than 1,600 snowplows and 114,000 tons of salt have been positioned statewide to keep roads passable. She advised residents to work from home and warned of health risks, including heart attacks, associated with shovelling heavy snow.

New York City Mayor Joharan Mamdani said sanitation crews would be mobilised once snow accumulation crosses two inches, while public transport would continue operating with possible delays.

Air India cancelled all flights to and from New York and Newark on January 25 and 26, citing severe weather conditions. Passengers were advised to check flight status and consider rescheduling.

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger cautioned that power outages in some areas could last several days, though Texas Governor Greg Abbott said safeguards were in place to prevent a grid failure similar to 2021.

President Donald Trump said federal agencies, including FEMA, are coordinating closely with states. FEMA has placed 30 search-and-rescue teams on standby and pre-positioned millions of food packets, blankets, and generators ahead of the storm.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation, urging citizens to stay indoors, follow advisories, and prioritise safety as the storm intensifies.