Surging Salt Demand Highlights Broader Preparations for Major U.S. Winter Storm

A hardware store owner in northern New Jersey said his business emptied its entire stock of rock salt on Tuesday morning as residents rushed to prepare for a powerful winter storm forecast to sweep across a broad section of the United States. The episode captures the sudden spike in consumer demand accompanying a system the National Weather Service projects will deliver heavy snow, widespread ice and dangerously low temperatures from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic.

Neighboring communities began lining up outside the Clifton, New Jersey, store before sunrise, according to the owner, who reported that bags of de-icing salt sold out before noon. “We just ran out,” he told ABC News in an on-camera interview, adding that a new shipment had been ordered but would not arrive until after initial snowfall. The logistical gap left many late customers without one of the most common tools used to keep driveways and sidewalks passable during winter weather.

The scramble for salt coincided with official warnings affecting more than 180 million people. Meteorologists expect the storm to develop rapidly as it travels eastward, generating blizzard-level snowfall in parts of the Midwest while coating roadways with ice farther south. Forecast models indicate that sub-freezing air trailing the system could linger for several days, raising concerns over refreezing on treated surfaces and placing sustained pressure on municipal salt reserves.

Across the country, transportation and utility providers took preventive steps to blunt the storm’s impact. Airlines preemptively cancelled thousands of flights scheduled for Friday through Sunday, citing anticipated runway closures and limited de-icing capacity at dozens of airports. Major carriers issued travel waivers allowing passengers to rebook without penalty. Airports in Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Newark warned of possible ground delays even for flights able to operate.

Interstate highway departments assembled round-the-clock plow crews and urged motorists to reconsider non-essential trips. State officials in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York said they would restrict commercial vehicle traffic on certain high-elevation corridors once snowfall rates exceed safe plowing thresholds. Similar policies were announced in Kentucky and Tennessee, where forecasters expect a mixture of sleet and freezing rain to create hazardous driving conditions.

The approaching weather also strained regional power grids. Grid operators in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) and PJM Interconnection territories asked residential customers to conserve electricity during peak usage hours to preserve reserve capacity. Utilities activated mutual-aid agreements to ensure out-of-state line crews could mobilize quickly if ice accumulation brought down transmission lines. A spokesperson for one Mid-Atlantic utility noted that federally funded resilience upgrades completed after previous storms were expected to reduce outages, although prolonged icing remained a risk.

Local supply shortages mirror national demand

While salt is generally abundant early in the season, late-January storms often expose weak points in supply chains. The New Jersey retailer said his initial winter inventory matched typical historical demand, but the forecast prompted unusual volume within a 24-hour span. “It’s not that suppliers don’t have the product,” he explained. “Trucks are already committed, and there isn’t enough time to turn them around before the snow starts.”

Several municipal works departments along New Jersey’s Route 46 corridor confirmed they had adequate salt on hand for at least the first wave of precipitation but acknowledged that prolonged ice events can exhaust reserves quickly. Municipal managers said additional orders were placed last week but might not be delivered until road conditions improve, illustrating the same logistical bottlenecks facing private retailers.

In Chicago, where meteorologists expect accumulations of up to 10 inches, city officials stated they would deploy the entire fleet of more than 280 snowplows and salt spreaders as soon as the first flakes fall. Supplies in municipal domes were described as “healthy,” yet officials admitted that back-to-back storms could force conservation measures such as reduced application rates on secondary streets.

Imagem: imagem internet 50

Public safety agencies emphasize preparation

Governors in at least eight states—Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts—activated partial emergency operations centers to coordinate response activities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency urged residents to monitor local alerts, assemble home emergency kits and limit exposure to extreme cold expected after the storm passes.

Health departments reiterated guidance on avoiding frostbite and hypothermia, noting that wind chills may drop below minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Great Lakes and interior Northeast. Officials recommended wearing layered clothing, checking on vulnerable neighbors and ensuring pets remain indoors. Homeowners using portable generators during potential power outages were reminded to operate equipment outdoors and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide buildup.

Schools and universities across the Midwest announced plans to shift to remote instruction or close campuses entirely on Friday. In Minneapolis, however, some institutions had already suspended operations earlier in the week because of a separate protest, leading administrators to extend closures through the storm’s expected arrival.

Economic ripple effects

Analysts said the flight cancellations, shipping delays and reduced consumer mobility could briefly dampen economic activity but are unlikely to produce long-term consequences. Retailers selling winter-related goods may see short-term sales spikes similar to the one reported by the New Jersey hardware store, whereas restaurants and entertainment venues are preparing for lost revenue due to decreased foot traffic.

Online delivery services reported a surge in grocery orders, with some platforms temporarily limiting same-day windows in high-impact regions. Logistics firms are prioritizing medical supplies and perishables, reallocating drivers to essential routes and warning customers to expect delays extending into early next week.

As for the Clifton hardware store, the owner expects another influx of customers once the next shipment arrives. “People will be back when they realize the storm’s cold tail can freeze everything again,” he said. For now, the empty pallets in his storeroom serve as a tangible indicator of the urgency felt by residents across a wide swath of the country preparing for a formidable winter blast.

Crédito da imagem: ABC News