The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has warned that extremely dangerous winter weather will impact parts of the United States this weekend.
In a statement dated Friday, January 23, 2026, the WMO said winter precipitation will begin differently across the US, with a light wintry mix early Friday morning across western OK, and later, a light wintry mix across north and east through the day, becoming heavier by late afternoon and evening.
“Wintry precipitation will begin as a light wintry mix early Friday morning, first across western OK, where temperatures will be coldest. As temperatures drop, a light wintry mix will spread north and east through the day, becoming heavier by late Friday afternoon and evening,” read a statement.
Officials warned that travel may become slick and hazardous during and after the onset. The public has been urged to stay warm and follow all safety advice.
Regions Facing Dangerous Winter Conditions in the U.S
According to WMO, heavy snow will affect the Central and Southern Plains as well as the Middle and Lower Mississippi Valley.
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A Catastrophic ice accumulation is expected from the Southern Plains to the Southeast as bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills impact areas from the Southern Plains to the Northeast.
In addition, high pressure moving south from Central Canada will bring extreme cold to the Plains, Great Lakes, and Northeast, while low pressure over the Gulf Coast and a second low moving northeast along the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic will intensify the storm through Sunday.
The storm is expected to bring heavy snow from the Southern Rockies and Plains to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, with snowfall of more than 12 inches likely in the Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, creating widespread travel disruptions.
Impact of the Dangerous Winter Conditions
Although widespread freezing rain and sleet are expected across the Southern Plains, the Lower Mississippi Valley, the Tennessee Valley, and the Southeast, the conditions could cause significant ice accumulation, long-duration power outages, extensive tree damage, and extremely dangerous or impassable travel.
After the storm, communities from the Southern Plains to the Northeast will face bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously low wind chills, prolonging hazardous travel and further straining infrastructure.
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Elsewhere, heavy lake-effect snow will develop over the Great Lakes from Friday through early Saturday, and by Sunday, snow from the storm in the Ohio Valley will move into the Great Lakes.
Upslope flow will also produce snow in parts of the Northern and Central High Plains through late Friday night.
An upper-level low moving into northwestern Mexico will produce rain at lower elevations and snow at higher elevations in the Southwest from Friday into Saturday.
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