Winter Storm Fern is about to make history. Winter storm maps show a massive system stretching 2,000 miles across the country, from Arizona to Maine, bringing heavy snow, crippling ice, and dangerous cold starting Friday night.
More than 235 million people across more than 40 states are in the path of this potentially historic winter storm, and the scale is almost impossible to grasp. All major metros from Dallas to New York City are in the storm's path, making this one of the most widespread winter weather events in years. The maps tell a clear story: nearly two-thirds of the country will be affected.
Heavy snow is expected over a wide band of the country, with a foot or more potentially headed for parts of the Texas Panhandle and the Ozarks, and the highest snowfall totals—possibly up to 2 feet—could accumulate in the central Appalachians and into the Northeast. Check out detailed winter storm maps showing the 2,000-mile path for exact snowfall forecasts in your area.
The storm will start in Texas and Oklahoma with treacherous conditions after sunset Friday, wintry precipitation will stretch from central New Mexico into central Virginia on Saturday, and by Sunday heavy snow will push into the Northeast, including New York City and Boston. A trailing blast of Arctic air associated with the Polar Vortex is expected to bring a dangerous refreeze that could create long-duration power outages and paralyze travel for days. Some airports in the South do not have deicing equipment for aircraft to take off safely, possibly leading to widespread cancellations and delays over the weekend.
As of 9 p.m. EST Thursday, nearly 1,300 flights have already been canceled across the U.S. through Saturday, with thousands more expected to be canceled into early next week. Weather maps are trending because people need them to understand where this monster storm is heading and what to prepare for. At least a dozen states have declared states of emergency, signaling how serious forecasters expect this to be. If you're in the path, check live maps frequently—conditions are still evolving as the event approaches.