The “Polar Vortex” has officially arrived, and it brought a massive guest. As we head into the night of Saturday, January 24, 2026, millions of Americans are glued to their windowpanes and weather apps. Winter Storm Fern is no longer a “potential” threat—it is a historic, 2,000-mile reality stretching from the Southern Plains to the tip of New England.
Whether you are in the “Catastrophic Ice” zone of the Southeast or the “Foot of Snow” corridor in the Northeast, tonight is the pivot point. Here is the latest on the live path tracker, timing, and what you need to know to stay safe.
The Current Path: Where is Fern Right Now?
As of tonight, Winter Storm Fern is a complex, multi-headed beast. The storm is being powered by a rare collision: frigid Arctic air dropping from the Great Lakes meeting a moisture-rich low-pressure system moving up from the Southwest.
The Southern & Central Track (Texas to the Carolinas)
The “nose” of the storm has already blanketed parts of Oklahoma and Texas. Tonight, the primary concern shifts to crippling ice accumulation.
- Texas & Arkansas: Precipitation is transitioning from a wintry mix to steady snow in the north, while central regions face a dangerous glaze.
- The Deep South (Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia): An Ice Storm Warning is in effect. Temperatures are plummeting, and freezing rain is expected to begin in earnest late tonight.
The Northeast & Mid-Atlantic (Virginia to Maine)
The “tail” of the storm is intensifying. Forecasters are watching for a potential Nor’easter development off the coast.
- I-95 Corridor: Cities like Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and New York are seeing the first flakes tonight. The heaviest accumulation is timed for the overnight hours into Sunday morning.
Regional Breakdown: What to Expect in Your City Tonight
| Region | Primary Threat | Expected Accumulation | Peak Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Plains (TX, OK) | Snow & Sleet | 5–10 inches | Ongoing through Tonight |
| Southeast (GA, NC, SC) | Catastrophic Ice | 0.25″ to 1.0″ of Ice | Late Tonight – Sunday AM |
| Mid-Atlantic (VA, MD, PA) | Heavy Snow | 10–20 inches | Tonight – Sunday Night |
| Northeast (NY, NJ, MA) | Snow & Wind | 8–15 inches | Sunday Morning – Monday |
“A Hurricane of Ice”: The Southeast on High Alert
Meteorologists aren’t using the word “catastrophic” lightly. In North Georgia and the Carolinas, the setup for tonight is classic and terrifying. Cold air is “wedged” against the mountains, while warm, moist air flows over the top.
Expert Tip: If you are in the Ice Storm Warning zone (including Metro Atlanta and Charlotte), charge everything now. > “A quarter-inch of ice can snap tree limbs; a half-inch can pull down power lines. We are looking at localized totals of nearly an inch in some spots. This isn’t just a ‘snow day’—it’s a multi-day infrastructure challenge.” — Weather Prediction Center Insight.
Travel Alert: A “Nightmare” Weekend for Air and Road
If you had plans to travel tonight or tomorrow, the message from airlines is clear: Don’t.
- Flight Cancellations: Over 2,500 flights have already been grounded for Saturday, with industry experts like AccuWeather’s Jonathan Porter predicting the number could climb to 15,000 by Monday.
- State of Emergencies: 14 states (including NY, GA, TX, and VA) have declared emergencies. This allows National Guard activation and road salt prioritization.
- Road Conditions: In the South, where de-icing infrastructure is limited, roads will become impassable by midnight.
Real-Life Story: Lessons from the 2021 Freeze
I spoke with Sarah, a resident of Dallas who lived through the 2021 grid crisis. Her advice for tonight? “Don’t wait for the power to go out to find your blankets. We filled our bathtubs with water and staged our ‘warm room’ before the sun went down. Fern looks similar in its persistence; treat it with respect.”
How to Track Fern Live Tonight
To stay ahead of the storm, use these verified tools:
- NWS Radar: Check weather.gov for localized warnings.
- Interactive Maps: Use The Weather Channel or Weather Underground’s “Future Radar” to see exactly when the snow-to-ice line hits your zip code.
- Utility Maps: If you are in the Carolinas, keep the Duke Energy outage map bookmarked.
5 Essential Safety Tips for Tonight
- Drip Your Faucets: With sub-zero wind chills reaching as far south as Texas, burst pipes are a major risk.
- Stay Inside: Wind chills of -12°F to -50°F (in the Northern Plains) can cause frostbite in minutes.
- Avoid Overexertion: Clearing heavy, wet snow is a leading cause of winter heart attacks. Take frequent breaks.
- Check on Neighbors: Ensure the elderly in your community have a heat source and working phone.
- Generator Safety: Never run a generator indoors or in a garage. Carbon monoxide is the silent killer of winter storms.
Conclusion
Winter Storm Fern is a reminder of nature’s power. As the sun sets tonight, the path is locked in, and the impacts are beginning. Stay off the roads, keep your devices charged, and stay tuned to local broadcasts for life-saving updates.
Is your city in the path? Share your local conditions and photos with us on social media using #WinterStormFern.
Disclaimer: Weather conditions change rapidly. Always prioritize instructions from your local National Weather Service office and emergency management officials.
