Winter storm grips vast U.S. corridor, paralysing roads and flights

A sprawling winter storm stretching across the southern and eastern United States has crippled highways, shuttered schools and sent air travel into disarray, as forecasters warned of heavy snowfall and a destructive ice belt cutting from east Texas through the Carolinas.

The U. S. National Weather Service said a wide swathe of the country faced hazardous conditions, with snow totals measured in tens of centimetres in parts of the Plains and Midwest and a prolonged spell of freezing rain threatening power lines and trees farther south and east. Officials described the icing risk as severe, urging residents to avoid non-essential travel.

Airports across the affected corridor reported mass cancellations as aircraft were grounded by snow accumulation and de-icing delays. Major hubs in Texas and the Southeast curtailed operations, while knock-on effects rippled through national networks, stranding passengers far from the storm’s core. Airlines cited crew displacement and aircraft positioning issues as the primary causes of disruption, warning that recovery would take time even after weather conditions eased.

On the ground, state transportation agencies imposed rolling road closures as visibility plunged and ice glazed carriageways. Long-haul trucking slowed sharply along key freight routes linking the Gulf Coast with the eastern seaboard, raising concerns about supply chain delays for fuel, food and manufactured goods. Emergency responders reported a spike in collisions linked to black ice, while authorities in several states activated National Guard units to assist with rescues and traffic management.

Meteorologists said the storm’s potency stems from a clash between frigid Arctic air and moist Gulf air, a classic setup for widespread winter hazards across the southern tier. The forecast highlighted a narrow but intense zone of freezing rain capable of coating surfaces with a thick layer of ice, a scenario that can snap power lines and topple trees even where snow totals remain modest. Utilities across the region staged extra crews, anticipating outages in rural and suburban areas.

Schools and universities announced closures or shifts to remote learning as districts weighed safety risks for buses and staff. Courts postponed hearings, and municipal offices scaled back services. In some communities, warming centres opened for residents vulnerable to power loss, while charities coordinated shelter and hot meals for those affected.

The scale of disruption underscores how winter weather can overwhelm infrastructure designed primarily for milder conditions in the southern states. Transport analysts noted that regions unaccustomed to prolonged freezing rain often lack sufficient salt stockpiles and specialised equipment, amplifying the impact when storms strike. Airports in these areas, too, tend to have fewer de-icing resources, increasing the likelihood of prolonged ground stops.

Climate researchers caution against attributing any single storm to broader trends, but say shifting atmospheric patterns are increasing the frequency of high-impact weather events that combine multiple hazards. Warmer oceans can supply additional moisture, intensifying precipitation when cold air intrudes, while sharper temperature gradients can sharpen storm systems. Emergency planners say these dynamics demand greater coordination between weather services, utilities and transport operators.