Key Facts
• January 23: Chicago and nearby Illinois cities close schools due to extreme cold.
• Large winter storm intensifies from Texas to New England, affecting about half the U.S. population.
• Feels-like temperatures expected to drop to -40°C from cold air flowing in from Canada.
• Frostbite risk within 10 minutes; walking to school or waiting for buses deemed too dangerous.
• At least 177 million people under ice and snow warnings; over 200 million under cold wave alerts.
• Texas and Oklahoma may see ice and snow starting late January 23.
• Thick ice layers expected to damage tree branches and power poles.
• Storm moves northeast, bringing up to 30 cm of snow from Washington D.C. to Boston.
• Boston declares a cold emergency for the weekend; feels-like temperatures well below freezing.
Summary
A powerful winter storm is sweeping across more than half of the eastern United States, from Texas to New England, driven by frigid air from Canada. This cold wave has forced school closures in Chicago and surrounding Illinois areas due to dangerously low temperatures and severe weather conditions including snow, sleet, and ice. The National Weather Service warns of hurricane-level damage in ice-affected regions, with millions under overlapping ice, snow, and cold warnings. Texas and Oklahoma face early ice and snow, followed by heavy snow accumulation up to 30 centimeters in the Northeast corridor. Boston has declared a cold emergency as temperatures plunge, with feels-like values near -40°C, posing serious frostbite risks within minutes. Residents are urged to avoid outdoor exposure, especially walking to school or waiting for buses, to prevent injury and power outages.
