Texas and Oklahoma Brace for Major Winter Storm

Mon Jan 26 2026 01:31:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A severe winter storm is approaching Texas and Oklahoma, bringing heavy snow and ice, causing schools to cancel classes and prompting utility companies to prepare for power outages. Residents are urged to stock up on supplies as dangerous conditions set in.

Texas and Oklahoma are preparing for a major winter storm expected to bring heavy snow, ice, and dangerously cold temperatures across the eastern United States. Utility companies are on high alert, authorities are warning of hazardous driving conditions, and residents have begun stocking up on supplies as schools cancel classes.

DALLAS (AP) — Texas and Oklahoma are on edge as they brace for a significant winter storm expected to hit on Friday, bringing heavy snow and icy conditions that could make travel treacherous. Forecasters warn of wide-reaching effects across much of the eastern United States, with millions expected to face power outages and dangerously cold temperatures.

In preparation, utility companies have mobilized resources, with Houston power officials deploying 3,300 employees, and Oklahoma officials treating major roadways with salt brine. Residents are preparing for the worst, with reports of bare grocery shelves as people stock up on essentials before the storm strikes.

Weather forecasts indicate that the storm will not only coat parts of Texas and Oklahoma but can also extend up to the East Coast, causing hazardous conditions that could last well into next week. As temperatures drop substantially, wind chills could reach as low as minus 50 degrees Fahrenheit in the northern U.S., escalating safety concerns.

The potential for as much as a foot of snow in various areas, paired with icy roadways, has prompted school districts in cities like Chicago and Des Moines to cancel classes for Friday. Travel disruption is already being felt, with airlines canceling hundreds of flights ahead of the storm.

Officials have declared states of emergency in Georgia and Mississippi to expedite response efforts, urging citizens to stay indoors to avoid risks of frostbite and additional hazards. The approaching cold snap is reminiscent of previous severe winter weather events that have caused widespread damage and fatalities, leading to officials urging caution as citizens grapple with potentially life-threatening conditions.