Winter Storm Brings Heavy Snow, Canceled Flights, and Falling Iguanas Across the U.S.

Dangerous cold conditions persist as the South and East Coast clean up from a weekend bomb cyclone.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 9:31pm

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A powerful winter storm system, known as a bomb cyclone, brought heavy snow, canceled flights, and falling iguanas to a large swath of the United States over the weekend. Forecasters warned that dangerous extra-cold conditions will persist into Monday morning from the Gulf Coast into New England, with single-digit temperatures in southern states and the coldest air mass in South Florida since 1989. The storm caused significant disruptions, including over 2,800 flight cancellations on Saturday and at least another 1,800 on Sunday, as well as more than 1,000 traffic collisions and two road deaths in North Carolina.

Why it matters

The winter storm highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. The combination of heavy snow, frigid temperatures, and power outages can have severe impacts on communities, transportation, and local economies. The storm also underscores the need for improved infrastructure and emergency preparedness to mitigate the effects of these types of weather events.

The details

The storm, classified as a bomb cyclone, brought a rapid and intense drop in barometric pressure that led to heavy snowfall, high winds, and widespread disruptions. In eastern North Carolina, some areas recorded over 18 inches of snow, while Charlotte saw nearly a foot, representing a top-five snow event for the city. The storm also caused an hourslong backup on Interstate 85 northeast of Charlotte after a crash involving dozens of vehicles. In Florida, the cold temperatures led to iguanas falling from trees, as the reptiles go dormant in extreme cold. Farmers in the state also had to protect their strawberries and oranges from the freezing conditions.

  • On Saturday, over 2,800 flights were canceled in the U.S. due to the storm.
  • On Sunday, at least another 1,800 flights were canceled, with over 800 of those at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
  • The National Weather Service warned that wind chills in the Raleigh, North Carolina area will drop to near zero Fahrenheit (-17 Celsius) early Monday morning.

The players

Peter Mullinax

A National Weather Service meteorologist in College Park, Maryland.

Josh Stein

The governor of North Carolina.

Bill Lee

The governor of Tennessee.

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What they’re saying

“Snow and ice will linger, with refreezing tonight making travel hazardous. Use caution on roads and dress in warm layers.”

— National Weather Service office for Raleigh, North Carolina

“It's an impressive cold shot, for sure, and there are daily records that are being seen down in the South.”

— Peter Mullinax, National Weather Service meteorologist

“I shared strong concerns with leadership of the utility, which has defended its response and said the storm was unprecedented.”

— Bill Lee, Governor of Tennessee

What’s next

The National Weather Service expects light snow to fall in the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic regions, including possibly reaching as far as New York City, in the coming days on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The takeaway

This winter storm underscores the growing threat of extreme weather events driven by climate change and the need for communities to be better prepared with improved infrastructure and emergency response plans to mitigate the impacts on transportation, power grids, and local economies.