Meteorologists indicated that a resultant storm could produce more than 2 ft (61 cm) of snow across a wide swath of the Mid-Atlantic region and could "paralyze the eastern third of the nation", and regarded it as a "potentially historic blizzard".

A relatively minor storm ahead of the blizzard, similar to an Alberta clipper,[6] caught numerous drivers off-guard, producing a brief period of heavy snow during rush hour in the Mid-Atlantic region on January 20.

[10] Georgia Governor Nathan Deal issued a state of emergency for northern counties on January 19, ensuring areas were better prepared than during a similar storm in 2014.

[17] The trough strengthened as it moved southeastward through the Great Plains,[18] and on January 21 it spawned a weak low-pressure area over central Texas.

[19] The incipient storm system began to intensify as it tracked eastward through the Gulf Coast states, triggering a line of strong to severe thunderstorms and multiple tornado warnings.

[20] During the mid-afternoon hours of January 22, a new low-pressure area began to develop over the coast of the Carolinas, as the former storm tracked into central Georgia.

Owing to uncertainty in short-range guidance but a high confidence of a sharp northern edge of precipitation, many forecasts were predicting 12 in (30 cm) of snow or less until just hours before snowfall began, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, toward New York City and the southern coast of New England.

[22] On January 25, the blizzard left the East Coast of the United States; on the same day, the system was named Karin by the University of Berlin.

The wind and rain associated with the low was forecast to have the potential to cause disruption in the United Kingdom,[24] and indeed there were areas that saw severe weather.

[30] Further winter weather advisories covered additional portions of the country, including eastern Kansas, southeastern Missouri, and northern Alabama.

[55] Stores across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., reported a substantial uptick in sales, with groceries, heaters, shovels, and similar items sold out in numerous locations.

[68] Around noon on January 23, owing to a significant increase in expected snowfall, Cuomo issued a travel ban for all roads in New York City and Long Island.

[71] Strong winds coupled with prolonged onshore flow resulted in a major coastal flood threat for Delaware and New Jersey.

[67] Delaware Governor Jack Markell declared a "level 1 driving warning", encouraging people not to travel and indicating drivers should be extra cautious.

[73] Across Tennessee, state offices closed for January 22, warming centers opened, and the Red Cross placed shelters on standby.

[80] The storm's widespread effects paralyzed travel across the eastern United States as it produced more than 20 in (51 cm) of snow across a large area along the Appalachian Mountains.

In a separate incident, an 11-mile (18 km) stretch of Interstate 77 in West Virginia was blocked by stuck tractor-trailers that were lying across the highway.

[51] Snow fell as far south as Mobile, Alabama,[117] with additional flurries extending into Jacksonville and Gainesville along the Florida Panhandle late on January 22.

[82][124] A combination of snow and ice accumulation caused the roof of Donk's Theatre in Hudgins, Virginia, to collapse; the structure was deemed a total loss and will be demolished.

[97] Seven people required hospitalization for carbon monoxide poisoning at an apartment complex in Herndon when vents became clogged with snow.

[128] Near Bedford, approximately 500 vehicles became stuck along a westbound stretch of the Pennsylvania Turnpike for over 24 hours from January 22–23 near the eastern approach to the Allegheny Mountain Tunnel.

[82] A power outage at the Delaware City Refinery, thought to be related to the storm, forced the facility to shut down after chemicals were released.

[83][84] Snowfall across New York City and Long Island was more intense than initially forecast, falling at rates of 3 in (7.6 cm) per hour at times.

[152] A recently constructed dune in Belmar held back most of the water, with one minor breach along its 1.3 mi (2.1 km) expanse.

[51] After leaving the Eastern United States, the storm complex brought light snowfall to coastal areas of Nova Scotia, Canada, on January 24.

[158] On January 25, a Boeing 767 traveling from Miami, Florida, to Milan, Italy, encountered severe turbulence produced by the storm about 480 km (300 mi) off Newfoundland.

[159] Many cities struggled to cope with the snowfall, including Washington, D.C., where schools and government offices remained closed through January 26, three days after the storm.

[163] In contrast, both Governor Cuomo and Mayor De Blasio were praised for their handling of the storm prior to its arrival, and for being the first to issue a travel ban, which is credited for potentially saving lives.

[167] On January 26, Christie apologized to North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello for calling him "crazy" during his response to criticism the day prior.

[168] In March, President Barack Obama declared Delaware,[169] Maryland,[170] New Jersey,[171] Pennsylvania,[172] Virginia,[173] and Washington, D.C., major disaster areas.