# Company's coming! Winter storm Fern **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 23, 2026, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951 "2026-01-23T13:57:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/1 "2026-01-23T13:57:44Z")
Fern is coming. She’ll be knocking on my door this afternoon. She has a cold, cold heart. I have to say she has caused a stir, but she ain’t welcome. Especially in her blinding brilliant colors. Fern? Really? When did they start naming “Winter Storms”? Stay safe if you’re in her path! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/2 "2026-01-23T14:09:00Z")
Colorado needs a few winter storms. They replenish our water. We might get an inch or two over the weekend. Pretty weak sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/3 "2026-01-23T14:25:11Z")
I have the Weather channel on. If I believe them(and I’m skeptical), We are all gonna be buried in ice and snow. Which is very odd in South Arkansas. I still have overhead power lines and way too many pine trees. We will most definitely lose power with a tiny amount of ice. The predictions look horrible. I’m not sure if I should run screaming, gathering kids and pets or just go hibernate in bed for a couple days. I have a generator and a wood stove and fireplace. Plenty grub, gas stove. If I went by the Weather channel I probably need to refugee South, immediately. I do believe we’ll have an event but they scare the crap out of you. And named her “Fern”!! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/4 "2026-01-23T14:43:25Z")
These 12 cities will be hit hardest by the massive winter storm [https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/01/23/winter-storm-forecast-cities-east-coast-south/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2026/01/23/winter-storm-forecast-cities-east-coast-south/) Probably paylocked, but WaPo continues to have good science news, and this is an article about the expected timing and impact on major cities along the route of the storm. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/5 "2026-01-23T14:46:02Z")
The Weather Channel started naming winter storms about ten years ago. The NWS (or what’s left of it) is (rightfully) ignoring this bullshit. Aside, your topic and first line reminded me of my great-grandmother who, after surviving her third husband, decided her retirement plan would be to “visit” her daughters and daughters-in-law for several months at a time. According to my great aunt (her actual daughter), she was a holy terror. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/6 "2026-01-23T14:56:57Z")
> [@Maus\_Magill](#): > > The Weather Channel started naming winter storms about ten years ago. The NWS (or what’s left of it) is (rightfully) ignoring this bullshit. Yep. > [@Beckdawrek](#): > > If I went by the Weather channel I probably need to refugee South, immediately. > > I do believe we’ll have an event but they scare the crap out of you. And named her “Fern”!! The Weather Channel is pure sensationalism thinly disguised as news about weather. They totally threw away any pretense to serious information delivery about 25 years ago. Turn them off, visit the real weather people, and you’ll have a much easier time of it: **[National Weather Service](https://www.weather.gov/)**. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/7 "2026-01-23T14:59:30Z")
I use Weather Underground, which has seemed to provide pretty accurate predictions. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/8 "2026-01-23T15:11:51Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Fern? Really? > > When did they start naming “Winter Storms”? Tropical storms & hurricanes are officially named storms, by the gubmint, in alphabetical order, so _Hurricane Fern_ would be the sixth TS that year. We had a couple of inches of snow last weekend, nothing major, just slow down in driving early in the morning when I was out. We also had a ~~couple of inches of snow~~ ¼" of ice in December {@#$%& weathermen blew that forecast!}. Though even if you count the day we had flurries I don’t think it’s snowed five times (already) this year. I think the name comes from The Weather Channel, which I don’t even get at home but I have no clue where the name comes from, in terms of how they chose “Fern”; have we had six nationwide storm already this season? … …& why isn’t this in the Pit ? > [@puzzlegal](#): > > Probably paylocked It is. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/9 "2026-01-23T15:17:26Z")
I never watch Weather Channel. Not sure why I tuned in. I think my local was doing fluff and irked me. Not that the local is any good at weather. Should be, our weather man looks like a hybrid Human/space alien(yeah I am species shaming him). Shouldn’t aliens have access we don’t have? The Weather channel is wild. (NWS website is so old school, it gives me a nostalgic feeling) ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/10 "2026-01-23T15:19:51Z")
The forecast for the DC area is 5-10 inches of snow with sleet/ice. The temperature isn’t supposed to go above freezing for several days. We’re ok with groceries, but we have a grocery store withing easy walking distance anyway. The dog will no doubt have the time of his life. My sister is in central NC, and she’s concerned about the amount of ice forecast for them. Son is in Ithaca NY, so what they’re getting isn’t that unusual. Daughter is in Chicago, where it is supposed to be freezing cold but not that much snow. I think the high is supposed to be 3 below today. I’m guessing her class will not be getting outdoor recess. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/11 "2026-01-23T15:20:59Z")
I heard the schools are closed in Chicago area because the temp. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/12 "2026-01-23T15:21:43Z")
Actually just got a message from my daughter saying just that. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/13 "2026-01-23T15:24:51Z")
My grandkids were p-o’ed this is happening over the weekend, here. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/14 "2026-01-23T19:25:18Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > > [@puzzlegal](#): > > > > Probably paylocked > > It is. Okay, here’s a summary. Times aren’t start and end, but “worst of the storm” estimates. This is a very brief summary on a long article. It gives a lot of information about what’d likely to drive the results in each region, and what will happen near each of these cities. If you have access to the article, i think it’s worth reading the parts close to you. It’s also fun to watch the animated prediction of where the snow, sleet, and freezing rain will fall. I’m happy to be north of the line, and expect just snow. Oklahoma City Friday night through Saturday night 6-10 inches of snow and alert with a glaze of ice. (But right on the snow/ice line, so who knows.) Dallas/Fort Worth Saturday through early Sunday Potentially mostly freezing rain, but there might also be sleet. Little Rock Saturday through half of Sunday Mix of heavy snow and sleet. Tupelo, Mississippi Ooh, worst rating yet Saturday through half of Sunday Crippling amounts of ice, prepare for power outages Nashville Sat PM and Sun AM Snow, then sleet, then freezing rain. Completed by dangerously cold temperatures Cincinnati Sat evening through Sun Lots of snow Pittsburgh Sat night through Sun evening Lots of heavy snow. Charlotte Sat night through Sun evening Lots of ice! Unclear how much as sleet and how much as freezing rain. Richmond Sat night through Sun night Snow, followed by sleet and freezing rain. Wider D.C. area Late Sat night through Sun night. Heavy snow, sleet, some freezing rain New York Sun through early Mon 8-10in of snow, followed by sleet, followed by fluffy snow. That’ll be pretty, even if it is a mess. Boston Sun pm into Mon Deep snow, but light and fluffy. It will stick around, because it’s going to stay cold. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/15 "2026-01-23T19:29:07Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I heard the schools are closed in Chicago area because the temp. A whole lot of businesses here closed today, too. It was around -10F here this morning, with wind chills around -30. It’s only gotten up to -4F here, as of 1pm, and it’s not really going to get any warmer. We’re going to be on the northern side of this huge storm, and probably only get a couple of inches of snow, but it’s going to be really cold for a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/16 "2026-01-23T20:47:02Z")
Official renaming.announced: It’s now to be known as “Winter Storm Screw The Weather Channel’s Phony Name”. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/17 "2026-01-23T20:50:06Z")
Newsflash: There is a large winter storm coming this weekend that’s going to impact probably ½, or more of, the country, whether that’s by population count or square miles. We just got an email from our Core provider/vendor about 'Winter Storm Fern Preparedness" This is a major company with nationwide reach which many of you may be using, indirectly, even if you don’t know their name. However, unless you watch the Weather Channel there is no such thing as Winter Storm Fern. 😡 ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/18 "2026-01-23T21:00:28Z")
My Western PA County decided to shut down all government operations Monday and pay us so I guess I have a three day weekend. Forecast is anywhere between 9 and 16 inches of snow. I have no alternate heat source besides my gas furnace but other than that I am prepared to wait it out. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/19 "2026-01-23T21:04:00Z")
Get out the woolies!! ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951/20 "2026-01-23T21:08:54Z")
We are pretty much supposed to get a “catastrophic” ice storm here in Black Mountain, NC. A lot of this area is still recovering from Helene. Not sure what we are going to do without power or heat in the single digit nights of next week. Put on a lot of clothes I guess and eat cold canned ravioli. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/companys-coming-winter-storm-fern/1026951.md?page=2)