A historic winter storm sweeping from the southern Rockies to New England has left millions of Americans facing icy roads, flight cancellations, power outages, and life-threatening conditions—forcing communities to scramble, panic, and confront the full force of nature’s fury.

Denver—A massive winter storm has roared across the United States this weekend, bringing snow, sleet, and freezing rain to a path stretching from the southern Rocky Mountains all the way to New England, threatening nearly 180 million people—more than half the nation’s population—and leaving airlines, drivers, and emergency services scrambling to cope with one of the largest winter weather events in recent memory.

The National Weather Service issued warnings late Saturday evening, predicting record-breaking snowfall and icy conditions in multiple states, with gusty winds and sub-freezing temperatures compounding the hazards.

Sunday quickly proved chaotic for travelers.

Airlines operating out of major hubs including Denver International, Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, and New York’s JFK reported widespread cancellations and delays.

“We’re facing unprecedented conditions across multiple time zones,” said airline spokesperson Karen Liu.

“Our teams are doing everything possible, but the weather is making safe operations nearly impossible.

” Thousands of passengers were stranded overnight, sleeping on airport floors or crammed into terminals as flights were repeatedly delayed or canceled.

One frustrated traveler at Chicago O’Hare described the scene: “I arrived at 6 a.m., and I’ve been told three different departure times.

People are freezing and exhausted.

No one knows when we’ll leave.”

Across the Midwest, snow and ice created treacherous driving conditions.

Interstate 70 in Missouri saw multiple chain-reaction accidents as roads turned into sheets of ice.

Police and highway patrol urged drivers to stay off the roads unless travel was absolutely necessary.

“We’ve never seen this many incidents at one time,” said Missouri State Trooper Jeff Ramsey.

“Even experienced drivers are losing control in spots that normally feel safe.”

The storm’s effects reached as far south as Texas and as far north as Boston, disrupting daily life for millions.

In Texas, freezing rain coated vehicles and power lines, causing localized outages and forcing schools to close.

Meanwhile, the Northeast braced for heavy snow, with cities like New York and Boston preparing snowplows, salt trucks, and emergency shelters for residents vulnerable to power failures and exposure to extreme cold.

“This storm is not just a nuisance,” said Dr.

Maria Chen, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“It is a large-scale weather emergency that requires coordination between multiple states and federal agencies to protect life and property.”

Emergency services in many states were placed on high alert.

Hospitals reported an uptick in slips, falls, and minor car accidents, while city officials opened warming centers for those without heat.

Firefighters and rescue crews worked around the clock, often navigating snow-blocked streets to reach stranded residents.

In Colorado, a group of volunteers coordinated with local authorities to distribute blankets and hot meals to residents trapped by snow drifts, saying, “People can’t just wait this out.

We have to reach them.”

Meteorologists traced the severity of the storm to a collision of frigid Arctic air plunging southward and a low-pressure system sweeping eastward from the Rockies.

The result was a wide swath of mixed precipitation, combining snow, freezing rain, and sleet, which made forecasting and emergency preparation particularly challenging.

“This is what we call a multi-hazard winter storm,” said Dr.Chen.

“Not only is there heavy snow, but the ice creates a completely different set of dangers for transportation and infrastructure.”

Utilities also faced pressure as ice accumulation and wind caused power lines to sag and snap.

Several areas in the Midwest and South reported outages affecting tens of thousands of homes, prompting officials to urge residents to conserve energy and check on neighbors, especially the elderly.

“We’re expecting more outages as the storm progresses,” said Laura McKinney, a spokesperson for a regional power cooperative.

“Teams are working nonstop, but conditions are extremely difficult.”

As the storm continues to move eastward, forecasts indicate that snow and freezing rain could persist into Monday, leaving icy roads and continued disruptions for commuters and travelers.

Officials warned that the full cleanup and recovery effort could take several days, emphasizing the importance of preparation, patience, and vigilance.

For millions of Americans, the historic winter storm has transformed ordinary routines into high-stress survival challenges.

Flights are grounded, highways are hazardous, schools are closed, and emergency services are stretched to their limits.

As one traveler stuck in Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson put it, “You think you’ve planned for winter, then the storm shows up and completely takes over your life.

” This event underscores both the power of extreme weather and the fragility of daily life when nature unleashes its full force.