Most current forecasts say this major January 2026 winter storm will affect different regions from about January 23 through January 26, with some lingering impacts into January 27 in the far Northeast and parts of New England.

How long will the storm last?

For the continental U.S., meteorologists expect:

  • Initial impacts starting Friday, January 23, as the storm develops over the central U.S.
  • Widespread snow, sleet, and freezing rain through the weekend (January 24–25) as the system tracks from the Southern Rockies and Plains toward the Midwest and East Coast.
  • Lingering snow, wind, and hazardous cold for the Northeast and New England into January 26, with some areas seeing disruptive conditions into about January 27 depending on how slowly the system exits.

In practical terms, that means:

  • Many locations will see intense conditions (heavy snow or ice plus strong winds) for around 12–36 hours.
  • Travel disruptions, power outages, and cleanup could last several days beyond the main precipitation, especially where snowfall totals are high or ice accumulates.

Because local timing varies a lot by city and elevation, check your local National Weather Service office or trusted weather app for an hourly forecast; their “hour-by-hour” or “future radar” view will show when conditions are expected to worsen and when they should taper off in your specific area.

Mini sections

What affects how long it feels

Even if the core storm passes in a day or two, it can feel much longer because of:

  • Blowing and drifting snow that keeps roads hazardous after the snow stops.
  • Subfreezing temperatures that prevent melting and keep ice on roads and sidewalks.
  • Follow‑up clipper systems or lake‑effect snow that add fresh snow after the main low has moved away.

A common pattern is: first day of heavy snow/ice, second day of blowing snow and difficult travel, then several days of cleanup and persistent cold.

Quick forum-style take

“How long will the storm last?”
Realistically, expect about 2–3 days of active storm impacts in your broader region, but only 1–1.5 days of truly severe conditions at your exact location, followed by several days of cleanup, school delays, and lingering cold.

If you tell me your nearest city or region, I can narrow this to a more precise time window for you. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.