160 Million at Risk: Major Snowstorm and Destructive Ice Threat
- A powerful winter storm system delivered historic snowfall totals across several states in January 2026, disrupting travel and daily life for millions.
- The National Whether Service (NWS) issued blizzard warnings for portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
- State and local authorities have deployed snow removal equipment and urged residents to stay home.
Record Snowfalls Blanket the U.S.in January 2026
A powerful winter storm system delivered historic snowfall totals across several states in January 2026, disrupting travel and daily life for millions. As of January 24, 2026, several locations have reported record-breaking accumulations, exceeding previous benchmarks set decades ago.
Here’s a breakdown of the most significant snowfall totals:
- Buffalo, New York: Received 98.5 inches of snow,surpassing the previous January record of 87 inches set in 1978.
- Syracuse, New York: Recorded 82.3 inches,marking the highest single-month snowfall total since record-keeping began in 1884.
- flagstaff, Arizona: Experienced 31.2 inches, breaking the previous January record of 28.7 inches established in 1981.
- denver, Colorado: Accumulated 27.5 inches, the highest single-storm total in five years.
- Portland, Oregon: Saw 18.7 inches, exceeding the average January snowfall of 8.2 inches.
The National Whether Service (NWS) issued blizzard warnings for portions of New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine. Over 3,000 flights were canceled at major airports, including Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Denver International Airport, according to FlightAware data. Power outages affected over 800,000 homes and businesses across the Northeast, as reported by PowerOutage.us.
State and local authorities have deployed snow removal equipment and urged residents to stay home. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency for 11 counties, authorizing the National Guard to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is monitoring the situation and preparing to provide assistance if requested.
the storm system is now moving eastward, and while snowfall intensity is decreasing, hazardous conditions are expected to persist. The NWS forecasts additional snowfall in New England throughout the weekend.