Historic winter storm is so dangerous it could kill Americans sheltering INSIDE their homes, forecasters warn, as panic buying hits DC and expert shares what you should do to stay safe

Millions of Americans are bracing for a catastrophic ice storm that forecasters warn could be so dangerous that you may not be safe even when inside your home.

About 230 million people across 34 states are under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts ahead of the historic storm, named Fern, that could crush trees and power lines and knock out power for days.

Panic buying has left store shelves completely empty in Washington DC as people prepare to spend the weekend buckled down inside their homes, NBC News’ Gary Grumbach revealed.

The storm is expected to begin Friday in the Southern Rockies and travel east throughout the weekend, bringing heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet across the Southern Plains and into Oklahoma and Texas.

It will spread into Arkansas and Tennessee overnight, before pushing into the Midwest by Saturday morning and reaching Alabama, the Carolinas and Georgia by nightfall. The storm will reach New England by Sunday morning and is expected to taper off in the Northeast by Monday.

Some regions in the Southern Plains and Midwest could be hit with more than 12 inches of snow, while predictions show the potential for a half-inch of ice or more for many areas, including parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama and Tennessee.

That amount of ice in southern states accustomed to mild winters is likely to topple trees and cripple power lines, resulting in widespread power outages. Experts told the New York Times that it may be too dangerous to go outside – but that there’s no guarantee of safety inside either if the power goes off for an extended period during a cold spell.

President Donald Trump blasted climate change experts as he warned Americans about the ‘record cold wave’ rolling in. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: ‘Rarely seen anything like it before. Could the Environmental Insurrectionists please explain — WHATEVER HAPPENED TO GLOBAL WARMING???’

A person rides a bicycle through blowing snow in Evanston, Illinois on January 14

Panic buying has left shelves completely empty at a Trader Joe’s store in Washington DC, NBC News’ Gary Grumbach revealed

Store shelves were left barren in Washington DC as locals brace for the wicked weather

Matt Van Swol, a former nuclear scientist for US Department of Energy, has encouraged Americans to prepare for the storm before it hits Friday afternoon.

In a post on X, he advised families to fill their gas tanks and charged their devices before potential power outages strike.

Van Swol suggests stocking up on batteries, flashlights, lanterns and blankets in case your heat and electricity are wiped out. He advised against the use of candles.

He urged families to dress for ‘ski season,’ wearing layers and slippers or shoes inside to help keep warm. Change out of wet clothes immediately.

The scientist added that households should have enough non-perishable food for up to seven days and at least one gallon of bottled water per person per day.

Drivers should stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary, he added.

Meteorologists warn that ‘freezing rain and ice make travel difficult, if not impossible.’

DC, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston could see enough snow to make travel very difficult or nearly impossible, forecasters warn.

Some areas are bracing for more than one foot of snow. This map shows the likelihood that your community will be hit with at least six inches of snowfall

Experts warn the storm will bring heavy snow, freezing rain and sleet across the country

About 230 million people across 34 states are under a variety of watches, warnings and other alerts ahead of the historic storm

Temperatures will rise into the teens and upper 30s to 40s by Tuesday

President Donald Trump blasted climate change experts as he warned Americans about the ‘record cold wave’ rolling in

‘Snow amounts could reach a foot or more in the I-95 major cities from DC to Boston,’ said weather service forecasters on the East Coast, who are increasingly confident the storm will strike the big cities.

In Washington, ‘the combination of heavy snow and ice alongside prolonged very cold temperatures presents a unique and significant risk to life and property across virtually the entire region,’ forecasters warned.

An atmospheric river of moisture could be in place by the weekend, pulling precipitation across Texas and other states along the Gulf Coast and continuing across Georgia and the Carolinas before heading northeast, forecasters said.

Several major US hub airports are in the path of this weekend’s storm, with experts warning ice, sleet and snow could delay passengers and cargo: Dallas-Fort Worth; Atlanta; Memphis, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Major airports on the East Coast could see delays later, as the storm barrels east.

More than 1,300 flights scheduled for Friday have been canceled as the US braces for the massive storm, according to flight tracking service FlightAware.

Airlines have already axed 1,325 flights from Saturday’s schedule, the majority of which were out of Dallas.

American, Delta, JetBlue Southwest and United Airlines are all waiving change and cancellation fees for customers across 40 airports impacted by the storm.

In some instances, the airlines are even waiving fare differences to help get ticketed customers rebooked.

Pedestrians bundle up as they wait for a signal change to cross a street during a cold day in Chicago on Thursday

Snow plows drive through a street during cold weather in Northbrook, Illinois on Thursday

Matt Van Swol, a former nuclear scientist for US Department of Energy, has encouraged Americans to prepare for the storm before it hits Friday afternoon

Parts of at least 34 states in the storm’s path were under winter storm watches and warnings by Friday morning, the Weather Channel reported. More watches and warnings are expected as the system approaches.

More than a dozen states have issued disaster or emergency declarations in preparation for the potentially catastrophic winter storm.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a disaster declaration for 134 counties on Thursday and warned residents to start preparing for the storm early.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore declared a ‘State of Preparedness’ in anticipation of the storm.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency for the entire state on Friday morning ahead of the dangerously cold weather and snow.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear also declared a state of emergency on Friday ahead of the winter storm.

‘This is a serious storm that will likely cause dangerous conditions on our roads and potential power outages, which is why we are doing everything we can to keep Kentuckians safe,’ Beshear said.

‘We ask that everyone does what they can to prepare now. Run any necessary errands before the storm, avoid traveling while conditions are dangerous, and have weather alerts turned on to stay informed.’

A customer loads ice melt into their car at Lowes on January 22, 2026 in Little Rock, Arkansas

Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Missouri have also issued emergency declarations.

As the storm travels across the country, a blast of cold air from Canada will spread across the eastern two-thirds of the US, bringing ‘bitterly cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills.’

Bann added: ‘It’s going to be hazardous for humans to step outside,’ meteorologist Richard Bann told the New York Times.

Communities across the Southern Plains, Mississippi Valley and Mid-Atlantic are expected to battle dangerously cold temperatures and subzero wind chills, with the wind chill in North Dakota predicted to get as low as -50F.