Winter storm in the US: Eight states under alert
The United States is facing a powerful winter storm system that has prompted National Weather Service (NWS) to issue winter storm warnings, from Friday, January 23, 2026, with the possibility of dangerous weather conditions continuing through the weekend.
According to the report carried by Newsweek, warnings cover a total of eight federal states, where heavy snowfall, strong winds, icy roads, and serious disruptions to traffic and daily life are expected.
Eight federal states on standby
According to the forecasts NWS, the winter storm will hit the following states and regions the most on Friday, January 23, 2026.:
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Michigan
- parts of Maryland
- parts of Virginia
- delove Colorada
- parts of Utah
Residents and travelers in these areas are advised to exercise extra caution, prepare for extreme conditions, and avoid non-essential travel.
New York: Up to three meters of snow and winds up to 64 km/h
In the federal state New York, meteorologists warn of particularly difficult conditions in the region east of Lake Ontario. From Friday, January 23, 2026., snow accumulation could even reach up to three meters, with wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour, which is about 64 kilometers per hour.
This kind of combination can cause snowdrifts and an almost complete loss of visibility, especially in the districts Jefferson, Cattaraugus, and St. Lawrence, where drivers are advised to avoid travel.
Oklahoma and Texas: Snow, wind and freezing temperatures
Parts Oklahoma and Texas, especially the region Panhandle, will face snowfall ranging from 10 to 23 centimeters starting from Friday, January 23, 2026.. Sub-zero temperatures and strong winds will further worsen road conditions and make staying outdoors extremely risky.
Officials are warning of an increased risk of traffic accidents and advising the population to stay indoors whenever possible.
Michigan: Hazardous conditions in the Upper Midwest region
U Michigan, especially in the districts Algiers and Luce, is expected between 5 and 20 centimeters of snow from Friday, January 23, 2026.. Strong winds and blowing snow can significantly reduce visibility and make roads slippery, which will make the morning and evening rush hours particularly difficult.
Officials across the affected areas appealed to citizens to, starting from Friday, January 23, 2026., They avoid travel, prepare food and medicine supplies, and monitor local weather forecasts.
NWS emphasizes that travel in areas under warning can be „extremely dangerous“, with the possibility of sudden weather changes, supply disruptions, and difficult operations of emergency services.
Preparation key during the active winter period
Even outside the main storm zones, winter alerts and advisories remain in effect across a wider part of the US, confirming that from Friday, January 23, 2026., winter will continue to show its full strength. Citizens are advised to have emergency kits prepared, mobile phones charged, and contingency plans in place.
SOURCE: FINANCIALEXPRESS PHOTO: PEXELS
