If you’ve stepped outside lately, you know that Mother Nature isn’t holding back this year. As a climate specialist tracking US weather patterns, I’ve been watching the charts, and the start of 2026 has been nothing short of historic. We aren’t just talking about a little frost; we are seeing a relentless parade of systems that have reshaped our winter expectations.
From the plains to the coast, the winter storm 2026 season has kicked down the door. We have seen three big winter storms are hitting the U.S. this week and throughout the month, leaving millions of us checking our emergency kits. Let’s break down exactly what happened with the “Big Four”—Blair, Demi, Enzo, and Cora—and what you need to know about the next winter storm on the horizon.
The Early Impact: Blair and Demi Strike
The season started with a serious punch. First, we had winter storm Blair, which tracked from the West straight into the heart of the country. If you were following the winter storm Blair forecast, you likely saw the warnings for the Plains. This system dumped over a foot of snow in places like Missouri and Kansas before dragging a mess of ice into Illinois. It wasn’t just snow; it was travel chaos, shutting down interstates and grounding hundreds of flights.
Right on its heels, the Northeast got its turn. Headlines everywhere warned that winter storm Demi is coming to the northeast this weekend, and it delivered. Winter storm Demi focused its energy on the I-95 corridor. If you were trying to fly out of Newark or Philly, you probably faced delays, as over 1,500 flights were disrupted. The winter storm this weekend left up to 9 inches of snow in the NYC area, reminding us how quickly the East Coast can grind to a halt.
The Southern Freeze: Enzo and Cora
Things got even more complicated when the jet stream dipped south. Winter storm Enzo 2026 took aim at the Gulf Coast, a region that simply isn’t built for this kind of cold. The winter storm enzo impact was severe from Texas to Georgia. It brought whiteout conditions to places that usually only see rain.
This brings us to the mid-month chaos. Around winter storm january 19 2026, we saw significant impacts in the South. Specifically, the winter storm january 19 2026 Georgia sector saw dangerous road conditions, while winter storm 01/19/2026 became a date many in the Southeast won’t forget soon.
Closely related was the cora winter storm, which swept through 19 states. Winter storm Cora didn’t play around, dropping nearly 10 inches of snow in parts of Texas and Arkansas. It forced states of emergency and left thousands stranded.
Current Status: The Aftermath and Warnings
As of today, warning maps are still lighting up. Winter storm warnings issued ahead of sunday’s snowstorm have transitioned into recovery efforts, but the cold remains. The combination of winter storm Blair 2026 and the subsequent systems has left a footprint of deep snow and strained power grids.
Below is a quick look at the peak snowfall and impacts we have seen so far:
| Storm Name | Primary Region | Key Impact | Max Snow/Ice |
| Blair | Rockies, Plains | Power outages, Guard activated | 12+ inches (Plains) |
| Demi | Northeast | 1,500+ flight cancellations | 9 inches (NYC/NJ) |
| Enzo | Gulf Coast/SE | 90% airport cancels in hubs | 6-12 inches (TX-LA) |
| Cora | Texas to Carolinas | State of emergency declarations | 10 inches (Dallas) |
Regional Impact Summary
To help you understand how these storms might affect your specific area moving forward, I’ve broken down the lingering risks.
| Region | Current Status (Jan 26) | Primary Risk Factor |
| Northeast | Digging out from 14″ snow | Black ice on secondary roads |
| Midwest | Extreme Cold (-40°F wind chill) | Frostbite & Battery failure |
| South/Gulf | Power Grid Recovery | Hypothermia from outages |
What Comes Next?
We aren’t out of the woods yet. Meteorologists are already eyeing the winter storm next week. There is chatter about winter storm Harlow and winter storm Lola potentially forming if the atmospheric conditions hold. While we wait to see if winter storm Lola becomes a major headline, you should stay prepared.
Whether it is the next winter storm or just a clipper system, the pattern suggests more volatility. Keep an eye on your local listings for updates on winter storm Harlow, and always take winter storm warnings issued ahead of sunday’s snowstorm seriously—preparation is the only thing that beats the weather.
