World News Tonight with David Muir Full Episode: Thursday, January 22, 2026
Jan 23, 2026
Whit Johnson, an ABC News correspondent, dives into the major winter storm that poses a threat to nearly 200 million Americans, stretching over 2,000 miles from New Mexico to the I-95 corridor. He discusses the urgent preparations cities are making against potential power outages and flight cancellations. Lee Goldberg, WABC's chief meteorologist, adds insights on the forecast specifics, including the crucial snow versus ice line impacting major urban areas. Together, they unpack the magnitude of this potentially catastrophic weather event.
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Nationwide 2,000-Mile Winter Threat
- A massive, slow-moving winter storm will stretch about 2,000 miles and threaten nearly 200 million Americans with snow, ice and prolonged extreme cold.
- Officials warn the storm could cause whiteouts, widespread power outages, and multi-day sub-freezing temperatures that strain grids and services.
Prepare For Worst-Case Winter Impacts
- Prepare for the worst-case scenario: stock supplies, charge power banks, and get ice melt and shovels ready as people already are doing nationwide.
- Expect flight cancellations, supply shortages, and local power outages so plan travel and essential needs accordingly.
Arctic Blast Raises Grid Resilience Fears
- The storm will bring an arctic blast with wind chills making parts of the Midwest feel like 50 below and freezing temperatures reaching far south.
- Prolonged cold increases blackout risk and revives concerns about grid resilience, especially in states like Texas with past failures.