UNITED STATES - A major winter system that swept across a large stretch of the central and eastern United States over the weekend, and while the snow has largely tapered off, according to Reuters, the cold is sticking around.

The storm developed late last week and pushed snow, ice, and freezing temperatures across dozens of states, snarling movement and knocking out power in many areas before easing early this week. What’s lingering now is a widespread cold snap, with winter weather alerts covering much of the region through at least February 1.

In response, cities have mobilized emergency resources as utilities work to restore service and temperatures dip into the single digits in some areas. Forecasters say below-freezing conditions, paired with icy ground and lingering outages, could continue to challenge daily operations in the days ahead, even as skies begin to clear.

We have spoken to many of the retailers in these regions, who are all hands on deck as the ripple effects of the storm impact their local communities. Mike Roberts, Vice President of Produce Operations at Harps Food Stores, shared a statement with us.

"Last week’s severe winter weather event tested communities across our footprint, and Harps Food Stores rose to the challenge in a big way. With 157 stores operating across six states, we experienced every type of winter precipitation imaginable—freezing rain, ice, sleet, and heavy snow—often all in the same day," he told us. "Despite the challenging conditions, our stores remained extremely busy throughout the event. In fact, several days proved to be among the busiest we’ve seen in quite some time, even surpassing typical holiday rushes. Customers counted on us to be there, and our teams delivered."

He continued, "Produce managers and support staffs worked tirelessly, staying ahead of demand by continuously ordering, receiving, and stocking product as quickly as it arrived. Long hours, shifting forecasts, and supply challenges never slowed their commitment to serving our customers. Once again, our Produce Managers stood out as one of Harps’ greatest strengths. Their planning, execution, and relentless focus ensured produce departments stayed full of the essential items our customers needed most. Their leadership and adaptability during this event clearly demonstrated the value they bring to our stores every single day. Snowmageddon may have brought difficult conditions, but it also highlighted what makes Harps special—dedicated teams, strong leadership, and a shared commitment to taking care of our customers and our communities."

Another major retailer in the region shared that its store teams, transportation teams, and support teams all started the planning process a week before the storm hit. Between working with suppliers, moving inbounds, putting lift factors on store orders, and delivering them all on time, their operations stayed in stock while many retailers ran out of most of their key items. By yesterday, they were back up to nearly 100 percent capacity, even while some roads are still being cleared.

Casey Tracy, Assistant General Manager at Allen Lund Company Los Angeles, also commented.

"This historic weather pattern is causing delays with trucks on the road and adding capacity constrains in regions that typically do not have these challenges," Casey told ANUK. "We proactively plan with our shippers to try to mitigate delays and keep goods moving throughout the country."

Analysts are also watching the broader economic fallout. Reuters reports that insured losses tied to property damage, disrupted operations, and vehicle incidents could reach into the billions, with commercial facilities expected to account for a significant share as frozen pipes, roof stress, and prolonged outages take a toll.

While the storm itself is no longer intensifying, this is one of those events where the aftermath matters just as much as the initial snowfall. The cold is the real story now, and it’s something many regions will be working through for the rest of the week.

Be sure to check ANUK for continued weather updates and regional coverage.