Winter storm updates: Dozens dead across US in wake of massive snowfall, deep freeze

Storm deaths were reported in the Northeast, the South and the Plains.

ByEmily Shapiro, David Brennan, and Bill Hutchinson

Last Updated: January 27, 2026, 4:41 PM EST

A deadly winter storm that brought massive snowfall across the U.S. knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of people in the South and crippled travel in the Northeast.

Key Headlines

Jan 27, 2026, 4:16 PM EST
At least 42 dead across the US
Jan 27, 2026, 4:08 PM EST
46 child carbon monoxide exposure cases reported at Nashville hospital
Jan 27, 2026, 2:47 PM EST
Most flight cancellations in American Airlines history
Jan 27, 2026, 1:50 PM EST
More than 500,000 customers still without power

Here's how the news is developing.

Jan 24, 2026, 12:18 AM EST

DC-area federal offices closed Monday due to winter storm

The Office of Personnel Management announced Friday night that all federal offices in the Washington, D.C. area would be closed on Monday. The announcement comes ahead of a major winter storm forecast to deliver severe impacts to the region through the weekend.

According to the Office of Personnel Management, roughly 279,000 federal employees work in the D.C. area.

Employees of Strosniders Hardware Store restock bags of ice melt ahead of a winter storm in Bethesda, Maryland, Jan. 23, 2026.
Jim Lo Scalzo/EPA/Shutterstock

The notice says that "maximum telework" would be in effect, and federal employees who are ineligible for telework will receive weather and safety leave. Emergency employees will report to work unless notified otherwise.

OPM Director Scott Kupor said in a message on X to federal employees, "We hope that everyone stays safe (and warm) over the weekend."

-ABC News' Nicholas Kerr

Jan 23, 2026, 10:37 PM EST

Over 8,300 flights canceled through the weekend

With a massive winter storm on the way, more than 8,300 flights have been canceled through Sunday -- and the numbers are expected to rise.

On top of more than 640 flights canceled Friday, FlightAware is reporting nearly 3,100 flight cancellations for Saturday and more than 4,600 on Sunday.

Dallas-Forth Worth leads as the airport with the most canceled flights this weekend.

Jan 23, 2026, 4:04 PM EST

More than 2,300 flights canceled for Saturday

More than 2,300 flights within, into or out of the U.S. scheduled for Saturday have now been canceled ahead of the storm, with Dallas' two airports hit the hardest.

Jan 23, 2026, 3:56 PM EST

Ice danger in the South

One of the biggest dangers from this storm is ice in the South.

The worse of the ice could hit Dallas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Nashville, Tennessee; north of the Atlanta area; Charlotte, North Carolina; Raleigh, North Carolina; Roanoke, Virginia; and Washington, D.C.

Up to 1 inch of ice or even more is possible in some parts of Mississippi and western Tennessee, which could paralyze roads for days.

The ice could cause widespread power outages, leaving many without heat, and create very dangerous travel conditions. People should be very cautious about driving this weekend and through next week because the slippery conditions could last for days.