Will a New Winter Storm Hit the U.S. This Weekend? Updated Weather Forecast

Will Schools Close? What Families in Storm-Hit States Need to Know

Snow Days vs. Remote Learning: Which States Still Let Kids Have a Day Off?

Winter Storm Updates: Dangerous Ice in the South, Heavy Snow in the Northeast, and Multi-Day Travel Disruptions

Which Grocery Stores are Closed or Changing Hours Due to Winter Storm Fern?

As the nation continues to recover from the massive January 2026 winter storm that swept more than 2,000 miles from the Southwest to the Northeast, meteorologists are closely watching atmospheric trends for possible additional winter weather this weekend (January 30–February 1, 2026).

Is another winter storm coming

Ongoing Cold and Lingering Effects of the Recent Storm

The powerful late-January winter storm that hit the U.S. is still affecting travel, recovery efforts, and temperatures:

• That storm brought heavy snow, ice and extreme cold across vast regions.

• Areas from New Mexico through the Northeast are still digging out, and bitter cold lingers.

• Many regions remain covered with snowpack and low temperatures, especially across central and eastern states.

This sets a background of cold air in place, which increases the chance that any new weather system could produce snow, sleet or ice rather than rain.

Weekend Forecast Trends: What Meteorologists Are Watching

Weather models and experts indicate a few possible scenarios for the coming weekend:

• Model guidance shows a low-pressure system forming near the Gulf Coast and moving toward the East Coast. If this system develops fast enough, it could bring a mix of precipitation — from rain in the far South to snow and sleet farther north.

• AccuWeather forecasters note that Gulf Coast states and the Southeast could see moisture effects as early as Friday, January 30, with snow mixing in across parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.

• The intensity and track of any developing storm will be the biggest factors determining whether wintry weather reaches major metro areas or stays offshore.

At this stage, forecasters emphasize that the weekend outlook is potential rather than certain. Snowfall amounts, exact track, and impacts are not yet solidly predicted. This kind of forecast can change as model runs update over the next 24–72 hours.

Regional Impacts: What to Expect

Even without a confirmed major storm, cold air and residual snow cover dominate much of the U.S.:

Northeast & Ohio Valley:

• Temperatures will remain well below average.

• Any moisture could quickly fall as snow or sleet rather than rain.

Southeast & Gulf Coast:

• Any approaching system may produce mixed precipitation, including sleet and freezing rain in transitional zones.

• Road conditions could deteriorate quickly if moisture overlaps with cold air.

Central U.S.:

• Ongoing cold temperatures may persist even if a new system doesn’t bring major snowfall.

Traveler and Public Safety Notes

Even without a new major storm, the cold and residual impacts from the January 26 event continue to affect the nation:

• Many flights, particularly across the East Coast, faced cancellations earlier in the week following the last storm.

• Power outages and travel disruptions from extreme cold are still being addressed in parts of the South and Northeast.

• Snow and ice removal efforts, especially in urban areas like New York and Boston, will remain ongoing.

Bottom Line & What We’re Watching Next

At this time:

• A clear new major winter storm for Jan 30–Feb 1 is possible but not confirmed.

• Cold air is entrenched across much of the country, boosting the odds that any system could produce wintry precipitation rather than rain.

• Forecast confidence will significantly increase in the next 48–72 hours as updated model data becomes available.

Forecasters advise checking local National Weather Service updates for exact watches or warnings, as winter weather threats can evolve rapidly.