Winter Storm Hits the U.S.: Flight Cancellations and Flurries

Tue Feb 03 2026 14:28:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A significant winter storm caused severe cold temperatures and flight disruptions from the Gulf Coast to New England, leaving millions under weather advisories.

The U.S. is grappling with extreme cold temperatures due to a bomb cyclone that has blanketed areas from the Gulf Coast to New England in snow. Over 150 million citizens are experiencing wind chills in the single digits, and considerable snow is reported particularly in North Carolina. The storm has resulted in thousands of flight cancellations and power outages affecting tens of thousands of residents. Cities like Charlotte faced near-record snowfall, while Florida experienced rare snow flurries, stunning iguanas, and icicles. Governor Bill Lee has expressed concerns regarding the response to this unprecedented winter event.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – A winter storm has swept across the United States from the Gulf Coast to New England, causing frigid temperatures and significant travel disruptions. A bomb cyclone has dumped heavy snow, leading to flight cancellations exceeding 2,800 on Saturday alone, with an additional 1,500 cancellations on Sunday.

About 150 million people are under cold weather alerts, with temperatures plunging to near-zero levels in many areas. Reports indicate that even Florida experienced unexpected snow flurries, resulting in cold-stunned iguanas lying motionless due to chilling temperatures.

In North Carolina, communities faced up to a foot of snowfall, marking one of the highest snow events in Charlotte's history. Local residents have been coping with travel chaos and power outages affecting nearly 97,000 residents in Tennessee and Mississippi alone.

Officials are concerned about the aftermath as they work to restore power and clear roadways, with over 1,000 traffic accidents reported due to the treacherous conditions.

As the cold snap continues, meteorologists predict further snow for areas like the Ohio Valley and the mid-Atlantic, indicating that many might remain buried under snow for days.