The current major January 2026 winter storm over North America is expected to last through the weekend, with impacts tapering off region‑by‑region between January 25 and January 26.

Overall timing

  • The storm began affecting the “nation’s midsection” on Friday, January 23, with heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain.
  • It then shifts eastward toward the East Coast through about Sunday, January 25.
  • For New England and parts of the far Northeast, the system may linger into Monday, January 26 before fully pulling away.

So in broad terms, the main event spans roughly 3–4 days from the first widespread impacts to when conditions improve in the Northeast.

Regional idea (very general)

Exact timing depends a lot on where you live, but the forecast discussion breaks down roughly like this for the January 2026 North American winter storm (often referred to as “Winter Storm Fern”):

  • Central U.S. (Midwest, Plains): Main snow and ice band from Jan 23 into early Jan 24.
  • Appalachians / Mid‑Atlantic (e.g., parts of WV, PA, MD, VA): Heavy snow potential late Jan 23 through Jan 24, possibly into early Jan 25.
  • Northeast / New England: Snow and mixed precipitation mainly Jan 24–25, with lingering effects into Jan 26.

In some interior zones (e.g., parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, New York and nearby states), forecast discussions mention the potential for very high snow totals (over 20 inches), which usually implies prolonged or repeated bands of heavy snow during that Friday–Sunday window.

What you should do now

Because the storm covers such a huge area, how long it lasts for you personally depends on your exact city or region. Local forecasts and alerts will be much more precise than the national overview.

  • Check your local National Weather Service office or national meteorological service page for an hourly timeline.
  • Look at any “Winter Storm Warning/Watch” products; they usually list expected start and end times for hazardous conditions.
  • Plan for disruptions (travel, power, errands) across the entire window your local office gives you, not just the peak snow or ice period.

If you tell me your nearest city or region, I can narrow this down to a much more specific window for when the storm’s worst conditions are likely to start and end in your area.

TL;DR: The January 2026 winter storm is a multi‑day event: main impacts from Friday, January 23 through Sunday, January 25, with some areas in New England and the far Northeast still seeing effects into Monday, January 26.