Winter Storm Fern dying toll rises to 12 because the South is hit with TORNADO warning amid blistering -20F situations: Live updates

On Jan 25, 2026

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and SOPHIE GABLE, US REPORTER

Updated: 19:05, 25 January 2026

The death toll has risen to eight as Winter Storm Fern rages on across the US and temperatures reach a low of -20F in some parts of the country.

A startling tornado warning has also been issued for parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The watch is in effect until 6pm CST (7pm ET) on Sunday, the National Weather Service Tallahassee said.

Multiple tornadoes are possible in the areas, along with wind gusts of up to 70mph, and hail that could measure up to half an inch in size, according to the agency.

Meanwhile, at least 12 people tragically died in the freezing weather.

Five residents were found dead in New York City, two in Louisiana and another person died amid one of several car crashes in Tennessee.

A man was found dead in the parking lot of a Shell gas station early Sunday morning. Another died in Arkansas, Michigan and Virginia.

Another 18 people were injured in storm-related collisions in Tennessee on Saturday, according to state highway patrol.

Death toll reaches 12

Four more people died in the snow storm, making the total 12.

A man was found dead in the parking lot of a Shell gas station early Sunday morning.

Another died in Arkansas, Michigan and Virginia.

Five died in New York City, two in Louisiana and one in Tennessee.

Nine of the deaths were due to the extreme cold and the other two were winter storm related.

TORNADO watch issued for parts of US

In addition to snowfall, a tornado watch has been issued for parts of Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

The watch is in effect until 6pm CST (7pm ET) on Sunday, the National Weather Service Tallahassee said.

According to the agency, a few tornadoes are possible in the areas, along with hail that could measure up to half an inch in size.

Wind gusts could also reach 70mph.

**NWSTallahasseeA tornado watch has been issued for parts of Alabama, Florida and Georgia until 6 PM CST https://x.com/NWSTallahassee/status/2015466832199594249?s=20

Early voting for NYC Special Election postponed

New York City’s Special Election has been postponed due to the storm.

Voting hours for four special elections for seats in the New York Senate and Assembly have been suspended for Sunday and Monday, Governor Hochul announced.

Extra voting hours will be added to make up for the suspension.

Sledding fun across the US

People took snow-covered hills in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and more places across the country.

People sled at Philadelphia Art Museum steps by the Rocky statue during a winter storm in Philadelphia, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Parents pull their children on a sled on the sidewalk, as a major winter storm spreads across a large swath of the United States, in downtown Brooklyn, New York City, U.S., January 25, 2026. REUTERS/Bing Guan

Icicles hang across the country from frigid temperatures

Metro bus gets stuck in snowy roads

NJ government offices and some schools closed Monday

All New Jersey government offices will be closed on Monday, Governor Mikie Sherrill said.

Some schools are also set to be closed on Monday, while some have announced delayed openings. That could change depending on the severity of the storm though.

Oklahoma & Arkansas in the snow storm

‘Slide-offs’ taking place on roads in Indiana

New Yorker’s brave the snow

NYC opening up 10 warming centers

Due to the extremely cold weather, New York City has opened up 10 warming centers across all five boroughs.

They will open at least through Monday, Mayor Mamdani said.

List of heating centers:

Bronx Gompers Campus, 455 Southern Boulevard DeWitt Clinton Campus, 100 West Mosholu Parkway
Manhattan Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School, 120 West 46th Street
Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics Campus, 260 Pleasant Avenue
Brooklyn Midwood High School, 2839 Bedford Avenue Urban Assembly for Law and Justice, 283 Adams Street
Queens Jamaica Campus, 167-01 Gothic Drive Long Island City High School, 14-30 Broadway
Staten Island Curtis High School, 105 Hamilton Avenue New Dorp High School, 465 New Dorp Lane

Almost 1 million without power

A little over 900,000 people are without power across the US as of Sunday afternoon.