❄️ Overview of Winter Storm Fern's Rampage Across the United States

The United States is reeling from one of the most intense winter storms in recent memory, dubbed Winter Storm Fern, which began forming on January 22, 2026, as a cold-core low off the Pacific and evolved into a massive nor'easter by January 25. Stretching nearly 2,000 miles from the Mexico-U.S. border to Canada, the storm unleashed a brutal mix of heavy snow, freezing rain, ice accretion up to 1 inch in places, and gale-force winds gusting to 71 mph. Snow accumulations reached record levels, with 31 inches near Bonito Lake in New Mexico, 18.9 inches at Boston Logan International Airport, and over 11 inches in New York City's Central Park.

By January 27, the storm had claimed at least 29 lives across multiple states, though some reports suggest the toll could be as high as 52, including fatalities from hypothermia, heart attacks while shoveling snow, and vehicle accidents on icy roads. Power outages peaked at over 1 million customers, primarily in the South where ice storms snapped power lines and toppled trees. Tennessee saw 230,000 outages at its peak, Mississippi over 150,000, and Louisiana more than 120,000. Travel ground to a halt with over 13,000 flights canceled on January 25 alone—the highest single-day total since the COVID-19 pandemic—with additional thousands scrapped on January 26.

This unprecedented weather event disrupted daily life, economies, and critical sectors like higher education, where faculty, students, and administrators faced campus closures and travel nightmares. As academics navigate these challenges, resources like higher ed career advice can provide stability amid uncertainty.

The Tragic Plane Crash at Bangor International Airport

In a heartbreaking incident amid the storm's fury, a Bombardier Challenger 600-series business jet (registration details pending NTSB confirmation) carrying eight people overturned and burst into flames during takeoff from Bangor International Airport (KBGR) in Maine around 7:45 p.m. on January 25. The aircraft, linked to Houston-based law firm Arnold & Itkin LLP, flipped shortly after beginning its rollout on a snow-covered runway amid moderate snow, fog, and temperatures of -17°C (1°F).

Air traffic control audio captured the chilling moment: controllers reported a "passenger aircraft upside down" on the runway, prompting an immediate emergency response. Seven individuals perished—presumed to be passengers—while one crew member survived with serious injuries. Conflicting early reports varied on the exact casualty figures, but the FAA and local officials confirmed the grim toll by January 26. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched investigations, focusing on potential factors like runway contamination, low visibility, aircraft de-icing, and pilot decision-making during the hazardous weather.

Bangor International Airport, a key hub for northern New England, remained closed into January 27 for runway inspections and crash site recovery. This event underscores the perils of aviation in extreme winter conditions, a concern for academics frequently traveling to conferences or faculty positions across regions.

For more on aviation safety protocols, see the Wikipedia entry on the storm, which details the Bangor crash in context.

Widespread Flight Cancellations Paralyze Air Travel

Airlines bore the brunt of Winter Storm Fern's wrath, with major carriers like American Airlines canceling thousands of flights. Over 11,000 U.S. flights were axed on January 25, followed by 4,500-5,100 more on January 26, totaling more than 19,000 disruptions since Saturday. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta saw over 1,000 cancellations, while airports from Dallas-Fort Worth to Boston Logan were ghost towns, planes de-iced amid endless delays.

• Major hubs like Chicago O'Hare, New York LaGuardia, and Philadelphia International reported near-total shutdowns.
• Amtrak services were curtailed, with dozens of trains canceled in the Northeast and Midwest.
• Travel bans were enacted in states like New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio to curb accidents on black ice.

These cancellations stranded thousands, including higher education professionals en route to interviews or lectures. Remote remote higher ed jobs emerged as a silver lining, allowing continuity in research and teaching.

Deadly Toll and Power Outages Grip the Nation

The human cost of Winter Storm Fern mounted quickly. Confirmed deaths included hypothermia victims in states like Kentucky and Pennsylvania, cardiac events from snow shoveling in New Jersey and Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and crashes like a teenager's fatal accident in Jefferson County. Southern states suffered from ice storms: two hypothermia deaths in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, and multiple in Tennessee from downed trees and exposure.

Power restoration lagged, with Entergy in Louisiana and Nashville Electric facing weeks-long repairs in iced areas. Twenty-four governors declared emergencies, mobilizing National Guard units.

📚 Disruptions to Higher Education: Campuses Shut Down Nationwide

Higher education institutions from coast to coast canceled in-person classes and closed campuses, shifting to remote learning. MIT, Boston University, and Tufts University halted operations through January 26. Ohio Wesleyan University closed entirely, while North Georgia Technical College suspended classes on January 27. Wittenberg University, University of Delaware, Lehigh University, and dozens more followed suit, citing hazardous roads and power risks.

• Spring semester starts delayed at affected schools in Texas, Ohio, and New England.
• Faculty advised remote work; students received makeup class guidance.
• Conferences like those in Atlanta and Boston postponed, stranding speakers.

Academic travel to lecturer jobs or postdocs was upended, highlighting the need for flexible career paths. Administrators turned to tools like academic calendars to reschedule.

Safety Tips and Preparation for Academics in Winter Weather

For professors, researchers, and students facing similar storms:

• Monitor weather apps and NWS alerts; pack emergency kits with blankets, food, and chargers.
• Opt for virtual interviews via resume templates tailored for remote applications.
• Shovel snow in short bursts to avoid heart strain; stay indoors if temperatures drop below freezing.
• Universities should stockpile de-icing supplies and enhance remote infrastructure.

Proactive planning ensures research continuity. Explore professor salaries and opportunities in milder climates.

Read the full meteorological analysis on Weather.com.

Photo by Kier in Sight Archives on Unsplash

Recovery Ahead: Opportunities in Higher Ed Amid Adversity

As Winter Storm Fern moves offshore, cleanup begins with bitter cold lingering—record lows expected in the Plains and South. Airlines resume schedules, but backlogs persist. Higher ed rebounds with hybrid models, proving resilience.

Share your experiences in the comments below. While disruptions challenge us, platforms like Rate My Professor foster community, higher ed jobs listings offer new starts, higher ed career advice guides preparation, university jobs keep careers moving, and recruitment tools connect talent. Stay safe and informed.