These US cities brace for ice snow and freezing rain from storm Fern

Storm Fern strains winter systems across the U.S.

A powerful winter storm, unofficially called Fern, is spreading snow, sleet, and ice across a long corridor.

Forecasters describe a 1,500-mile path where travel and power can fail quickly. The National Weather Service warns the mix is hard to manage because ice can linger after snow ends.

The impacts are not uniform from city to city. Some metros brace for thick ice, while others prepare for high snow totals and brutal wind chills. The hardest-hit list spans the South, the Plains, and the East Coast, triggering ripple effects in travel.

Ice danger concentrates on the southern edge of the storm

In the South, the most damaging feature is expected to be ice, not deep snow. Dallas–Fort Worth, Tupelo, Nashville, and Charlotte sit near the freezing-rain edge where roads and power lines glaze.

Tupelo has been flagged as a top-impact city because ice totals could be crippling. Charlotte is under an ice storm warning, and North Texas forecasts include up to about a half inch of ice. In this zone, losing heat and power can be the biggest risk.

Dallas–Fort Worth prepares for icing and grounded flights

The Dallas–Fort Worth metro is forecast to see freezing rain and dangerous cold together. The National Weather Service warns ice could reach up to about a half inch in parts of the area, turning overpasses into hazards.

Air travel is taking a hit. Flight tracking and news reports have shown heavy cancellations at DFW International and Dallas Love Field during the storm. Airlines issued waivers, but officials still urge travelers to confirm status before leaving home.

Oklahoma City braces for snow, sleet, and extreme wind chill

Oklahoma City sits where snow and sleet can pile up while Arctic air pours in behind the storm.

Forecasts called for about six to ten inches of wintry accumulation, with wind chills as low as minus 20 degrees. That mix can turn a minor delay into danger if someone gets stranded.

City crews began pretreating roads, and police urged residents to limit time outdoors. Officials also warned about protecting pipes and bringing pets inside when wind chills plunge. In this region, the cold drives the risk.

Little Rock runs emergency operations as sleet hardens roads

Little Rock is dealing with a mix that can flip from snow to sleet, making road treatment tougher. Forecasts pointed to several inches of snow plus accumulating sleet that can harden into a slick crust.

Bridges, ramps, and hills often become hazardous first during storms. Arkansas leaders moved early. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders declared a state of emergency and activated 168 National Guard members, according to reports.

City officials said emergency management shifted to 24-hour operations while crews pretreat major routes.

Nashville expects snow first, then a damaging icing phase

Nashville is forecast to get several inches of snow before conditions tilt toward ice. Freezing rain can lock slush into a solid sheet and add weight to trees and lines.

Officials warn of dangerous travel, possible power outages, and downed branches as temperatures drop.

Tennessee issued emergency orders ahead of the storm. Governor Bill Lee declared a state of emergency, and the state legislature canceled sessions, according to reports. Even after precipitation tapers, bitter cold can linger and slow cleanup efforts.

Tupelo faces the most severe ice risk in the list

Tupelo, Mississippi, is expected to take the brunt of the storm’s ice, not its snow. Forecasters assigned it a 10 out of 10 impact rating because freezing rain can bring down limbs and power lines. When outages are spread out, repairs can take longer.

The National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning, with forecasts calling for ice accumulation of around one-half to one inch. Officials warned travel could become impossible where untreated roads glaze over.

Charlotte’s warning signals serious outage and road-block risk

Charlotte, North Carolina, is bracing for an ice storm that can paralyze the metro with limited snowfall.

Forecasts warned ice could reach about four-tenths to three-quarters of an inch, with some snow and sleet mixed in. That range can make roadways slick and quickly jam traffic.

Weather officials say the bigger danger is overhead. Ice loading on tree limbs and power lines can trigger widespread outages that last for days in some areas. If crews cannot safely reach downed lines, restoration can stretch longer than expected.

Cincinnati’s snow threat is about days of disruption

Cincinnati sits in the Ohio Valley band, where heavy snow and prolonged cold can create multi-day travel problems.

Forecasts cited by officials called for at least about eight inches, enough to overwhelm treatment during peak hours. Drifting snow can also re-cover lanes soon after plows pass.

Warnings stressed that hazardous travel may last into the workweek. Cold temperatures slow snow and ice removal, leaving slick surfaces in place. For commuters, the risk is several days of rough conditions into next week overall.

Washington, D.C. plans for snow that flips to freezing rain

Washington, D.C., is in a zone where the storm can begin as snow and then change to freezing rain.

That switch is dangerous because wet pavement can flash-freeze and erase traction in minutes. Forecasts call for heavy precipitation with sleet mixed in as temperatures hover near freezing.

Mayor Muriel Bowser said the district declared a snow emergency and a state of emergency. A snow emergency requires vehicles to be moved off designated routes, so plows and emergency vehicles can move.

Philadelphia watches for a high-end snow forecast

Philadelphia is on the list of cities expected to take a direct hit from the storm’s snow band. Forecasts suggested about 10 to 14 inches, enough to disrupt schools, transit, and airport operations. If snow falls fast, plowing and salt can fall behind during the peak window.

The impact is rarely limited to city streets. Major highways and nearby airports can be affected at once, creating backups across the Mid-Atlantic. Officials urge residents to limit travel during the heaviest period so main routes stay open for response.

Pittsburgh readies crews and salt for heavy snow and deep cold

Pittsburgh is preparing for heavy snow paired with dangerously low wind chills. City leaders said they could see up to about a foot of snow, keeping plows moving around the clock. Steep streets and bridges are toughest when snow falls in bursts and refreezes.

Mayor Corey O’Connor said crews had been preparing for days, and the priority is safety for residents and first responders.

The city reported about 8,000 tons of salt on hand, with more deliveries expected. Officials urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel during peak snowfall.

Moreover, scary scenes unfold across California as a winter storm triggers catastrophic flooding, and residents are urged to stay informed and follow safety updates.

New York and Boston face big-city snow totals

New York City and Boston are bracing for snow totals in urban settings. New York City forecasts reached about 14 inches, while Boston forecasts ranged from 12 to 18 inches. In cities this large, totals translate into transit delays and side streets that stay buried.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency, and Boston-area officials warned residents to plan for difficult travel. Snow plans rely on trucks and crews, but progress slows when temperatures stay bitterly cold.

Find out more about which cities could get hit hardest and what you need to know.

Did your area match the forecast? Share your thoughts in the comments.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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