Storm Gianna Snow, Cold Blast Hits Southeast & East Coast

Atlanta/Washington DC — A powerful winter storm, unofficially named Winter Storm Gianna by The Weather Channel, rapidly intensified into a bomb cyclone off the Southeast coast from late January 30 into February 1, 2026. The system delivered rare heavy snowfall to parts of the southern United States, record-breaking cold temperatures extending as far south as Florida, widespread power outages, and significant travel disruptions.

The bomb cyclone — defined by a rapid pressure drop of at least 24 millibars in 24 hours — brought 12–24 inches (30–61 cm) of snow to portions of the Carolinas, one of the heaviest snow events in decades for the region. Charlotte, North Carolina, recorded nearly a foot of accumulation, placing it among the city’s top snowfall totals on record. Other areas, including parts of Georgia, Virginia, and South Carolina, saw significant snow, with isolated reports of up to 22.5 inches in higher elevations of western North Carolina. Light flurries reached unusually far south, dusting parts of northern Florida.

An intense surge of Arctic air followed the storm, driving temperatures well below normal across the East. Lows dipped into the 20s Fahrenheit in southern Florida — the coldest reading there since 1989. More than 150 million people were under cold weather advisories or extreme cold warnings, with wind chills falling to near zero or into the single digits even in normally mild southern locations.

The storm claimed at least two lives in North Carolina due to traffic accidents on hazardous roads. Impacts included more than 190,000 power outages across the Southeast, hundreds of vehicle crashes, widespread school and business closures, and hundreds of flight cancellations at major airports. Coastal areas faced additional threats from gusty winds up to 80 mph and minor to moderate storm surge flooding in low-lying zones.

The system moved offshore by February 2, though lingering cold air and strong winds continued to affect the region into the following days. Economic losses from travel disruptions, power restoration efforts, canceled events, and property damage were projected in the billions of dollars, adding to the strain of an already turbulent month for the United States.

Stay updated with ClickUSA News for the latest on weather recovery, cleanup efforts, and any follow-up impacts across the affected states.

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