At Least Two Dead as Winter Storm Fern Brings Deadly Cold and Snow Across the U.S.
At least two people have died as Winter Storm Fern unleashed dangerous cold, snow, and ice across large portions of the United States, with officials warning that the death toll could rise as the extreme weather continues.
The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed that two men died from hypothermia in Caddo Parish, located in the Shreveport area, after temperatures plunged well below seasonal norms. Authorities did not release additional information about the victims.
Meanwhile, officials in New York City are investigating whether frigid weather conditions may be linked to the deaths of five people found across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens over the weekend, according to local reports.
Arctic Blast Fuels Widespread Impact
Winter Storm Fern, powered by an arctic air mass and a dipping polar vortex, has swept from the Central and Southern Plains toward the East Coast, bringing a mix of heavy snow, freezing rain, and ice. Winter weather began late Friday, January 23, and is expected to linger across parts of the Northeast through Monday, January 26.
Snow accumulation has been reported in states including Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Maryland, and parts of the Mid-Atlantic, while ice and freezing rain have coated roads and power lines across Texas, Tennessee, and surrounding regions.
Meteorologists say the intense cold gripping the country is the result of polar air pushing deep into the U.S., creating hazardous conditions that are expected to persist even after precipitation tapers off.
Power Outages and Travel Disruptions
Ahead of the storm, AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter warned that hundreds of thousands of residents could lose power and heat for extended periods due to ice accumulation and high demand on energy systems.
AccuWeather meteorologist Emma Belscher added that recovery may be slow in many areas. “Some locations will struggle to climb above freezing after the storm moves through,” she said, noting that lingering snow and ice could refreeze overnight and prolong dangerous conditions.
Major metropolitan areas affected so far include Dallas, Austin, Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.
According to NBC News, weather alerts stretched across 37 states, impacting an estimated 190 million people. PowerOutage.us reported that approximately 875,000 customers experienced electricity outages from Texas to West Virginia at the height of the storm.
Officials Urge Caution as Cold Persists
Emergency officials continue to urge residents to limit travel, check on vulnerable neighbors, and take precautions against hypothermia as dangerously low temperatures remain in place.
Authorities stress that exposure-related deaths often occur after storms pass, when people underestimate the lingering cold. With much of the country still locked in freezing conditions, officials say caution remains critical in the days ahead.