Winter Storm Fern blankets New York with snow as the South is thrashed by rare THUNDER SLEET and 730,000 left without power: Live updates

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and SOPHIE GABLE, US REPORTER

Updated: 09:55 EST, 25 January 2026

Winter Storm Fern hit New York City early Sunday morning as rare thunder sleet whipped across the South. 

Heavy snow and sleet is expected to blanket the Big Apple and other parts of the Tri-State area all day. 

New York City is likely to get eight to 12in of snowfall, while parts of New Jersey could see five to eight inches. 

Meanwhile, the South could see the ‘rare occurrence’ of thunder sleet – when lightning and thunder occurs during a sleet storm, according to the National Weather Service.  

Instead of snow, the winter weather phenomenon brings heavy ice pellets. 

Parts of Texas, including Brenham and Hempstead is expected to see the combination of lightning and frozen rain drops. 

More than 730,000 Americans woke up with no power Sunday morning, including residents in Texas, Tennessee and Mississippi. 

Louisiana, Kentucky, Georgia, New Mexico and Virginia also have thousands without power.  

730,000 without power across the US

More than 730,000 people are without power across the US as of Sunday morning.

Customers in Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee, New Mexico and more have been plunged into darkness.

‘Rare occurrence’ of thunder sleet to hit parts of the South as Winter Storm Fern rages on

Parts of the South could see the ‘rare occurrence’ of thunder sleet – when lightning and thunder occurs during a sleet storm.

under occurs during a sleet storm, according to the National Weather Service.

Instead of snow, the winter weather phenomenon brings heavy ice pellets.

Parts of Texas, including Brenham and Hempstead is expected to see the combination of lightning and frozen rain drops.

If thunder sleet happens, people are urged to go indoors and take cover. Buildings and hard top vehicles could be damaged from it.

Ice completely covers lineman’s hat in Georgia

Ice crystals covered a lineman’s hate in Georgia as the Georgia Power company shared the dangers of ice buildup amid Winter Storm Fern.

‘Ice may look harmless, but it’s dangerous: Just ½ inch of ice can add up to 500 lbs to a power line, the company posted on X.

Timelapse footage of snow blanketing Times SquareThree people found dead in NYC amid freezing temperatures

Three people were found dead across New York City after temperatures dropped to the teens on Saturday.

Two were discovered in Brooklyn and one in Manhattan, the New York Police Department (NYPD) said, according to WNBC.

A 67-year-old was first found. About two hours later, a man in his 30s and woman in her 60s were discovered.

None of the bodies had physical signs of trauma, leading investigators to believe they died from weather-related conditions.

Arctic air blasts across the NortheastNYC public schools closed Monday

Public schools in New York City will be closed on Monday due to inclement weather.

Tomorrow will be a remote school day for students, NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani said in a post to X on Sunday morning.

For students in 6-8 and high schoolers, the day will remain off due to a previously scheduled professional learning day, he added.

Bryant Park fountain freezes in the Big Apple

A dramatic image shows the Josephine Shaw Lowell Memorial Fountain partially frozen in Bryant Park as freezing temperatures hit.

Trees snapping and falling in Louisiana as power outages persist

Trees are breaking and falling in Louisiana from heavy snowfall and ice.

More than 102,00 are without power across the state as of Sunday morning.

New Jersey reduces speed limit to 35mph

The New Jersey Department of Transportation have temporarily lowered the speed limit to 35mph on Interstate and State highways.

The reduction applies to:

ALL Interstate highways in New JerseyALL US and State highways in New JerseyThe New Jersey TurnpikeThe Garden State ParkwayThe Atlantic City ExpresswayNYC subways running normally

Subways in New York City are running normally Sunday morning, but the MTA has warned riders that could change depending on the severity of the storm.

Buses, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), Metro-North and Access- A- Ride should also expect delays due to the weather.

More than 102,00 without power in Louisiana

More than 102,000 customers are without power across Louisiana Sunday morning due to Winter Storm Fern.

Some counties, including De Soto and Red River, have lost nearly all power while others are have a partial loss, according to Power Outage.

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Winter Storm Fern blankets New York with snow as the South is thrashed by rare THUNDER SLEET and 730,000 left without power: Live updates