Winter Storm Fern has begun its delivery of snow, ice and high winds across much of the country. More than 180 million people are under winter weather alerts, according to The Weather Channel, with forecasts showing impacts from Texas and the Southeast through the Midwest and into the Northeast.
Fern: Impacts Across Regions
On Thursday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp issued a state of emergency for all 159 counties, pre‑positioning state crews and resources as freezing rain and sleet threaten hazardous roads, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. The Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency activated emergency operations and warned travelers to complete preparations before Saturday.
Officials said the storm could last through at least Tuesday.
The Weather Channel reports that Fern will produce heavy snow and significant ice accumulation from the southern Plains through the Ohio Valley. Meteorologists warn that outages are likely where ice builds on trees and power lines, while parts of the Midwest and interior Northeast could see more than a foot of snow. Hazardous driving conditions and flight delays are expected through early next week.
Airlines Issue Official Travel Waivers
U.S. airlines have posted weather‑related travel waivers directly on their official sites:
American Airlines confirms fee‑free rebooking for customers scheduled to travel Jan. 23 –25 through affected cities. Passengers must complete new travel within the eligible date and route list.
Delta Air Lines’ Travel Advisory allows customers booked between Jan. 23 and 25 to rebook without change fees, using the online “My Trips” tool. Impacted cities include airports throughout the Southeast, Midwest, and Northeast.
United Airlines posted flight options on its Travel Alerts page, waiving fees for flights to, from, or through affected airports through Jan. 28.
Southwest Airlines’ Travel Disruption page states that customers whose flights are canceled or significantly delayed may rebook without penalty or request refunds for unused portions of tickets.
JetBlue Airways’ Travel Alerts outline waiver eligibility through Jan. 31, permitting changes or cancellations for impacted U.S. routes and weather‑related delays.
Alaska Airlines added a Flexible Travel Policy specific to Winter Storm Fern, covering flights to and from Atlanta (ATL), Dallas (DFW), Houston (IAH), Nashville (BNA), Indianapolis (IND) and other listed airports. Travelers booked Jan. 23 – 25 may change or cancel travel through Jan. 29 without fees or fare differences, per the official Alaska Airlines Advisory.
Officials continue to advise travelers to stay off icy roadways whenever possible and allow extra time for disrupted connections as Winter Storm Fern makes its way northeastward.
