Severe weather across the US: A deadly major winter storm is impacting millions of residents as it brings bitter cold temperatures, blizzard conditions and flooding to multiple parts of the country. At least 16 storm-related deaths have been reported across seven states and less than 800,000 customers are still without power.
Travel impacts: More than 2,600 flights have been canceled so far Saturday across the US. Officials are urging Americans to stay off the roads in inclement weather.
Coldest Christmas: Some major cities in the Southeast, Midwest and East Coast are facing their coldest Christmas in decades.
In the storm’s path? You can track the storm here. And view our lite site here if you’re in an area of low connectivity.
Our live coverage has ended. Read more about today’s developments in the posts below.
Updates
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Key things to know about the winter storm on Saturday afternoon — and what else to expect this Christmas Eve
From CNN staff
Jessica Chan navigates deep snow in Buffalo, New York, on December 24.
(Jalen Wright/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
A deadly winter storm continues to pummel parts of the Upper Midwest and interior Northeast with heavy snow and blizzard conditions.
If you’re just joining us, here’s what you need to know:
Storm-related death toll rises to at least 16: Three people have died in relation to the winter storm in New York’s Erie County, county officials said Saturday morning. Two people died in separate incidents Friday night when emergency medical personnel could not get to their homes in time for medical emergencies, and a county spokesperson confirmed a third storm-related fatality to CNN on Saturday afternoon. Wisconsin State Patrol on Thursday reported one fatal crash due to winter weather. The Tennessee Department of Health on Friday confirmed one storm-related fatality. Four people died in weather-related auto accidents in Ohio. Three people died in Kentucky. Three people died in weather-related traffic accidents in Kansas. Another person died in Kansas after their caravan slid off the icy road and into a frozen creek.
Less than 800,000 are still without power: As of 3:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, 755,210 customers are still in the dark, according to PowerOutage.US. The New England region has the highest amount of power outages, with 281,651 impacted customers.
Thousands of flights continue to be delayed or canceled: There have been more than 2,600 flight cancellations nationwide as of Saturday afternoon, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware. More than 6,000 flights have also been delayed so far on Saturday. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is among the most impacted airports.
Travelers walk through Miami International Airport in Florida, on December 23.
(Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images)
Here’s what else to expect this Christmas Eve:
Cold for many: Wind chills will be dangerously cold across much of the central and eastern US this weekend. “The life-threatening cold temperatures and dangerous wind chills will create a potentially life-threatening hazard for travelers that become stranded,” the National Weather Service said early Saturday.
Record temps in the South: Atlanta and Tallahassee, Florida, were forecast to have their coldest high temperature ever recorded on Dec. 24, according to the weather service.
Brutal cold elsewhere: Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were expected to see their coldest day Christmas Eve ever on Saturday. Washington, DC, could see its second-coldest on Christmas Eve, the first being in 1989. New York is set to experience its coldest Christmas Eve since 1906. Chicago is expecting temperatures to rebound above zero but will still experience its coldest Christmas Eve since 1983.
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Less than 800,000 customers still without power across the US due to winter storm
From CNN’s Sara Smart
Less than 800,000 customers across the United States are still without power as winter weather and frigid temperatures continued.
As of 3:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, 755,210 customers are still in the dark, according to PowerOutage.US.
Here’s a breakdown by national regions:
New England: 281,651
Southeast: 224,631
Mid-Atlantic: 154,864
South: 45,397
Pacific: 21,659
Great Lakes: 20,525
Territories: 4,403
Midwest: 1,591
Mountain: 489
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Buffalo resident's father and 85-year-old grandmother have been stranded in a car stuck in snow since Friday
From CNN’s Sara Smart
Lia Belles’ 85-year-old grandmother and her father have been stuck on New York State Route 198 in Buffalo, New York, since Friday afternoon.
They are among the “couple hundred” that officials in Erie County say are likely still trapped in their vehicles during the winter storm.
The worst part is that they are less than a mile from home, Belles says.
Her father would walk home but her grandmother is unable to. “He would never leave her alone,” she added.
Belles said contact with them is limited due to phone battery, and all they have is whatever is left in the car. They are turning the heat on and off to save what is left of the gas in the car, she said.
As of 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Belles said they were able to get assistance getting the car physically unstuck, but they still are stranded as there is no path for them to leave.
“It’s very nerve-racking and difficult,” she said, “They’re definitely exhausted, but we’re seeing a little hope right now.”
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Tennessee power demand hit an all-time high amid severe winter weather that forced rolling outages
Two all-time high records were set during this winter weather, according to TVA.
TVA supplied more power over the past 24 hours than at any other time in its history — 740 gigawatt-hours.
TVA experienced its all-time highest winter power demand.
“We know that asking for power conservation is challenging, especially during the holidays, and we appreciate everyone’s assistance and patience,” Don Moul, TVA’s chief operating officer, said in the statement. “TVA and local power companies continue to do everything possible to minimize any disruptions while ensuring that the overall power grid remains reliable.”
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New York's Erie County is facing blistering blizzard conditions. Here's a look at some images
From CNN staff
Ice covers Hoaks restaurant along the Lake Erie shoreline in Hamburg in Erie County, New York, on December 24.
(John Normile/Getty Images)
The winter storm is bringing strong winds and blistering blizzard conditions to Erie County, New York. County officials have confirmed three storm-related deaths so far.
Two people died in separate incidents Friday night when emergency medical personnel could not get to their homes in time for medical emergencies, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said Saturday morning during a news conference. A county spokesperson confirmed a third storm-related fatality to CNN on Saturday afternoon.
Additionally, a “couple hundred” people are probably still trapped in their vehicles in Erie County, officials told CNN Saturday.
Here a look at some images from the county:
Paul Lamb clears his driveway on December 24, in Hamburg in Erie County, New York.
(John Normile/Getty Images)
A truck remains stuck in snow in Hamburg in Erie County, New York.
(John Normile/Getty Images)
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A "couple hundred" people likely still trapped in their cars in New York's Erie County, officials say
From CNN's Isa Kaufman-Geballe
Ice covers the Lake Erie shoreline in Hamburg, New York, on Saturday.
(John Normile/Getty Images)
A “couple hundred” people are probably still trapped in their vehicles in Erie County as a dangerous New York blizzard lashes the state, officials told CNN Saturday.
First responders have been making efforts to rescue Erie County residents who became stranded in their cars last night and this morning while strong winds and blistering blizzard conditions impact the county, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz told CNN’s Sarah Sidner Saturday.
Poloncarz said earlier Saturday that up to two-thirds of emergency response vehicles in the hardest hit areas of the county were stuck, and discouraged residents from calling 911 unless their lives were in danger.
“It’s still a very dire situation,” Poloncarz said Saturday afternoon.
The county is facing challenges keeping residents from driving on roads, despite there being a ban in place, Poloncarz told CNN.
Erie County first responders have been able to get individuals into warming centers, Poloncarz said, and the Buffalo airport said on Twitter that transit police, Buffalo Airport Fire and Airfield teams have rescued stranded motorists and provided shelter for roughly 60 people.
At least two people have died in Erie County as a result of emergency personnel being unable to reach homes during medical emergencies, CNN previously reported.
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If you're driving for Christmas today, here's what to pack in your car to stay safe
From CNN's Kristen Rogers
A car drives during a blizzard warning in Iowa on Friday.
(Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen/USA Today)
If you’re ever stranded in your car because of a bad winter storm, being prepared can be the difference between survival and serious harm or death.
For nearly two days back in January 2022, motorists were stuck on Interstate 95 in snowy and icy conditions in eastern Virginia after a storm left more than a foot of snow in the area.
Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions can be frightening and dangerous for travelers, and “are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter,” according to AAA.
Because of these risks, “it’s always important to be prepared versus get caught in a situation that turns dangerous or potentially deadly, especially in the winter season when temperatures can drop very, very cold in a short amount of time,” said CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray.
Read about what you should have in your car to be safe:
Electricity grid operator for 13 states asks public to conserve power and warns of possible rolling blackouts
From Hannah Sarisohn
A sign informs patrons of a store closure due to widespread power outages in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 24.
(Logan Cyrus/AFP/Getty Images)
PJM Interconnection, the power grid operator for at least 13 states, asked its customers to conserve electricity due to the weather, according to a company statement.
The organization says it serves about 65 million people in all or parts of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.
“Conserving electricity as much as possible between the hours of 4 a.m. on December 24, 2022, and 10 a.m. on December 25, 2022, will help ensure adequate power supplies,” PJM said.
PJM advised consumers to set thermostats lower than usual and postpone using major electric appliances such as stoves and dishwashers.
In a video on Twitter, PJM Sr. Vice President of Operations Mike Bryson thanked customers for their ongoing conversation efforts.
Bryson said the risk of rotating customer outages is “very real.”
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It's freezing across the US — here are some ways you can help those facing homelessness in the cold
From CNN's Ashley Vaughan
Volunteers deliver propane for portable heaters to homeless people in Chicago, on December 22.
(Erin Hooley/AP)
A major winter storm will have more than 100 million people in the US under winter weather alerts this Christmas weekend.
But for those who call city streets home, heading inside is not always an option.
Here are some ways you can help:
Locate a shelter or warming center: From your smartphone you can connect someone desiring shelter with support. The Salvation Army claims to have a presence in nearly every zip code across the country. And every location can serve as a warming station. The organization is tailoring responses to fit the unique needs of each of its communities — including areas caught up in the current cold snap. People can locate their nearest Salvation Army center through the organization’s online location finder.
Volunteer digitally: Texas-based non-profit Our Calling empowers everyone to digitally volunteer with one swipe on a smartphone. The organization features a public app that serves two purposes: helping those in need find nearby shelters and enabling users to facilitate the distribution of aid to those dwelling in street encampments.
Donate: Every organization featured in this piece made clear that financial donations are always needed. It is a powerful way people can help from miles away and make lasting impacts that meet needs both now and later, when things thaw out. You can donate to any of the organizations featured in this article by clicking this link.
An outreach worker delivers supplies to people living in a homeless camp in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 23.
(Jon Cherry/Getty Images)
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More than 2,100 flights have been canceled so far Saturday. These airports are facing the most cancellations
From CNN’s Rebekah Riess
A traveller checks flight statuses at Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport on December 24.
(Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images)
The extreme winter weather continues to impede holiday travel plans, as there are more than 2,100 flight cancellations nationwide on Saturday morning, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware.
More than 4,700 flights have also been delayed so far on Saturday.
These airports were most affected by delays and cancellations:
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport (MSP)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
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Tennessee Titans delay home game by an hour as rolling blackouts continue in Nashville
From CNN's Jacob Lev
Tennessee Titans players huddle before their game against the Houston Texans on Saturday, December 24, in Nashville, Tennessee.
(Mark Zaleski/AP)
The Tennessee Titans’ home game against the Houston Texans in Nashville has been delayed by an hour due to extreme weather and power outages in the area, the National Football League (NFL) announced on Saturday.
“We are exploring every possibility to minimize non-essential power around the stadium. Gates are currently open and fans are welcome to enter. At all times, the operation of the game remained secondary to the well-being of our community and we can’t thank the OEM and NES enough for their dedication to the safety of our neighbors,” it added.
On Saturday morning, Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Mayor John Cooper called on the Titans to postpone their 1 p.m. ET game “in solidarity with our neighbors,” amid ongoing rolling blackouts by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
The game will now kick off at 2 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
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New York will ask federal government for declaration of emergency, governor says
From CNN's Celina Tebor
Governor Kathy Hochul provides a winter storm update in Latham, NY on Friday.
(Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)
New York will ask the federal government for a declaration of emergency amidst a blistering winter storm that has killed at least two people in the state, Gov. Kathy Hochul said during a news conference Saturday.
The governor declared a state of emergency across the state on Thursday ahead of the holiday storm.
At least two people in New York have died as a result of the winter storm, Erie County officials announced Saturday morning.
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New York governor deploys National Guard to Erie County as Buffalo faces "life-threatening" conditions
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she deployed the National Guard to Erie County last night to assist with medical emergencies amid dangerous winter conditions in Buffalo and the region.
“The conditions, the blinding snow, the zero visibility, absolute whiteouts, it may go down as one of the worst in history,” Hochul said in a news conference, as she noted that Buffalo is her hometown. “People are comparing this to the dreaded blizzard of ’77 where Buffalo first got its reputation for having an unprecedented amount of snow.”
At least two people died Friday night in Erie County, in separate incidents, when emergency medical personnel could not get to their homes in time for medical emergencies, county officials said.
“The loss of two lives in Buffalo — storm related — because people were not able to get to medical attention, is again a crisis situation that unfolds before your eyes and you realize that life-saving ambulances and emergency medical personnel cannot get to people during a blizzard situation,” Hochul.
Hochul said first responders have been attempting to rescue stranded motorists on highways, but that they too “are all getting stuck in the snow as well.”
The Buffalo airport will remain closed until at least 11 a.m. local time on Monday, Hochul said. The airport first announced it had closed due to “hazardous weather conditions” Friday afternoon.
Hochul said search and rescue operations will continue nonetheless throughout the region.
The governor said about 73,000 homes across the state are still without power, including 33,000 in Erie County. “That seems to be the epicenter of this storm that doesn’t seem to be moving on,” Hochul said.
The governor said the state will keep warming centers open and she encouraged people to stay home.
CNN’s Celina Tebor contributed reporting to this post.
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Just over 1.4 million customers are without power nationwide due to severe winter weather
From CNN's Joe Sutton
Just over 1.4 million customers across the United States are still without power amid the winter weather and frigid temperatures.
As of 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, 1,426,366 customers are in the dark, according to PowerOutage.US.
Here is a breakdown by region:
Southeast: 533,608
New England: 358,714
South: 282,482
Mid-Atlantic: 204,157
Great Lakes: 23,932
Pacific: 14,680
Territories: 6,881
Midwest: 1,127
Mountain: 785
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New York's Jefferson County declares state of emergency and travel ban amid blizzard conditions
From CNN’s Celina Tebor and Haley Brink
A field in Watertown, NY during yesterday's snowfall.
(WWNY)
Jefferson County, New York, declared a state of emergency and enacted a travel ban Saturday, the state police announced, as the region faces strong winds and blizzard conditions.
The city of Watertown saw 14 inches of snow over the past 24 hours, according to the weather service. Very heavy snowfall rates of three to four inches per hour are also possible on Saturday, which could lead to another two to four feet of snow accumulations in the “most persistent bands” across the county, they said.
Wind chills as low as 20 degrees below zero could cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes, the weather service warned.
“Travel will be impossible,” the weather service wrote, adding that widespread blowing snow could reduce visibility to zero.
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More than 1,800 flight cancellations nationwide Saturday
From CNN’s Rebekah Riess
Travelers walk through JFK Airport on Friday.
(Leonardo Munoz/VIEWpress/Getty Images)
The extreme winter weather continues to impede holiday travel plans, as there are more than 1,800 flight cancellations nationwide on Saturday morning, according to the flight tracking site FlightAware.
More than 3,300 flights have also been delayed so far on Saturday.
The following cities were most affected by delays and cancellations into and out of their airports:
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
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Duke Energy asks customers in Ohio and Kentucky to voluntarily reduce use of electricity through Christmas Day
From CNN’s Dianne Gallagher and Rebekah Riess
Duke Energy is asking its customers in Ohio and Kentucky to voluntarily reduce usage of all non-essential electricity until 10 a.m. local time Christmas Day, as “power supplies are tight due to extremely cold temperatures and increased energy use.”
“This will help PJM [regional electric grid operator] member utilities to continue delivering reliable service during this period of significantly low temperatures across the region,” the power company stated in a news release.
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More than 50,000 people across Memphis shut off from power grid at any given time, mayor says
From CNN's Hannah Sarisohn
Rolling blackouts across Memphis, Tennessee, are impacting more than 50,000 people at a time, Mayor Jim Strickland told CNN’s Sara Sidner on Saturday morning.
Residents are being forced off of the power grid for 30 minutes to an hour at a time, likely two to three times per day, Strickland said. He added that the city is working to reach the most vulnerable individuals, such as those who require power for medical devices.
Strickland said temperatures are not expected to rise above 32 degrees Fahrenheit for at least the next two days.
The state of emergency in place will help reimburse expenses and bring issues, such as caring for homeless individuals, to the forefront, according to Strickland. Several hundred homeless individuals are being cared for by city-run facilities as well as nonprofits and churches.
In terms of roadways, Strickland said conditions on major thoroughfares have significantly improved, however people should still only travel if necessary.
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Catch up: Here's what you need to know about the winter storm
From CNN staff
A group of people walk through a neighborhood in Flint, Michigan, on Saturday.
If you’re just now catching up, here are some of the storm’s latest developments:
Rising death toll: At least 15 people have died across multiple states, including New York, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky, Kansas and Missouri.
Power outages: More than 1.7 million customers across the US are still without power as of Saturday morning, according to Poweroutage.Us. Before daylight on Saturday, utility companies were making progress on restoring power, but numbers could grow throughout the day as strong winds are forecast for much of the Midwest and Northeast. In states like North Carolina and Tennessee, residents are told to expect temporary power outages as the weather puts a strain on electricity providers.
Bitterly cold temperatures: More than 100 million people in the US remain under wind chill alerts Saturday morning. Some alerts have begun to expire across portions of the central and eastern regions of the country.
Holiday impacts: The winter storm has upended holiday travel for three consecutive days now, as airlines have canceled more than 9,000 flights in total between Thursday, Friday and advance cancellations on Saturday nationwide. More than 1,600 flights have been canceled so far Saturday across the country. Couriers including Amazon, the US Postal Service, UPS and FedEx are warning customers of disruptions to their operations in the final delivery day before Christmas due to the storm.
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More than 100 million people remain under wind chill alerts nationwide Saturday
From CNN's Haley Brink
Some wind chill alerts have begun to expire across portions of the central and eastern regions of the US, reducing the number of people under these alerts to more than 100 million people.
The alerts still include these cities:
Minneapolis
Indianapolis
Cleveland
Nashville
Atlanta
Charlotte
A vast majority of these remaining alerts will expire by mid-day.
