Weather experts are warning that the ‘most extreme of the season’ winter storm could bring outages, shutdowns, ice, snow, and subzero cold to 22 states.

The WRAL Severe Weather Center is tracking what could be a significant winter storm for the coming weekend, Jan. 24-25, 2026.

What’s next? Less chilly highs near 40 Wednesday and warming to near 50 Thursday. Turning frigid again this weekend with significant winter storm potential.

Meteorologists are watching whether a major winter storm will hit Albany this weekend. But with temperatures below zero, they advise bundling up either way.

Freezing rain, not snow, could pose the biggest risk for Houston as arctic air moves in this weekend. See timing, model trends and what to expect.

Winds will veer out of the west-northwest after 6 p.m. and gust 20 to 30 mph during the late evening and overnight hours. This means wind-chills of 30° around 4 p.m. will quickly plummet into the mid-teens by midnight. Tuesday will be brutally cold all day with morning wake-up wind-chills around 0° to 5°.

A winter storm is expected across the South beginning Friday and the East this weekend. There is a lot of wiggle room here, but check back with us frequently to see if your area could be impacted.