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.

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

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 24, 2026, 2:23 PM EST

Sunday to be one of the worst travel days

Sunday will go down as one of the days with the most weather-related flight cancellations in U.S. aviation history with more than 8,000 flights already canceled for tomorrow.

American Airlines has cancelled 37% of its total flights. About 85% of flights at LaGuardia are already cancelled.

A de-icing crew works during winter storm Fern on a Southwest Airlines flight at Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, Jan. 24, 2026.
Andrew Nelles/USA Today Network via Reuters

-ABC News' Sam Sweeney

Jan 24, 2026, 6:12 AM EST

More than 9,000 flights cancelled so far this weekend

The total number of flight cancellations this weekend have now surpassed 9,000, according to FlightAware.

Dallas Forth Worth International Airport continues to see major impacts followed by Charlotte Douglas and Nashville airports.

At least 3,259 flights have been cancelled so far on Saturday, with another 5,826 cancelled Sunday, FlightAware reports.

-ABC News' Ahmad Hemingway

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.

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