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Winter storm snowfall videos: Social media reveals how hard the storm is hitting

Mashable - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 18:11

A monster winter storm is currently barreling through roughly two-thirds of the United States, stretching across a massive swath of the country from Amarillo, Texas, to familiar winter hotspots like Boston, Massachusetts, and Buffalo, New York. Reports from outlets like CNN indicate that cities like Boston could see more than 36 inches of snow over the course of the weekend, while areas south of the snow line, including Charlotte and Atlanta, are expected to see less snow and more ice, a combination that makes road conditions especially dangerous.

The scale of the storm has also driven a surge of activity on social media in the days leading up to its arrival. Across the country, residents have been clearing store shelves in preparation for being snowed or iced in, posting photos of empty aisles and last-minute supply runs.

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At the same time, users online are fixated on the novelty of places like the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex seeing significant snowfall, a spectacle that tends to be fun for a few hours until the ice sets in and the state’s fragile power grid starts to strain.

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Or you could be in Florida and not see any snow, with cities like Orlando currently predicted to reach a high of 86°F on Sunday.

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Going all the way back up north, Minnesota, it's so cold that a user posted a video of pasta frozen in mid-air. As former Fox 9 meteorologist Jennifer McDermed writes on X, Minneapolis hit a low of -21°F on Friday, with wind chills around -45°F.

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This article will continue to be updated as more posts and news emerge throughout the storm.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The 6 greatest Netflix Originals nobody seems to remember

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 18:00

Netflix pioneered the idea of streaming services making their own original content, exclusive to each platform. In general, this has worked well, and shows like Stranger Things have become major tentpole hits.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why the "Synology tax" is still worth paying in 2026

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 17:30

Synology has faced a lot of hate over the past year for various reasons—some of which are very founded. However, a longstanding gripe of the brand’s customers is how expensive its hardware is. Here’s why I think that it’s still worth paying the Synology tax in 2026.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I changed this hidden setting and instantly improved YouTube Music's audio quality

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 17:15

High fidelity is almost never the default setting in the digital streaming world today. Most platforms, including YouTube Music, prioritize keeping your playback smooth and saving your data over giving you pure audio quality. This trade-off is silently ruining your listening experience.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to send text messages without Wi-Fi or cell service on a Google Pixel

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 17:00

Imagine yourself lost in the wilderness, miles from civilization, with no cell signal or Wi-Fi. Your phone is pretty much a useless brick. But what if you could still send a text? While it's not always possible to text without any connection, your Google Pixel has a few tricks up its sleeve for when you're truly off the grid.

Categories: IT General, Technology

4 reasons why Zigbee is more popular than Z-Wave in the smart home

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 17:00

Home Assistant is arguably the best choice for anyone looking to start a smart home, but this is especially true for power users. If you want unhindered freedom to decide how your smart home functions and you’re not afraid to get your hands dirty, there’s no better choice.

Categories: IT General, Technology

I stopped using the Linux start menu: This "fuzzy" launcher is so much faster

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 16:30

I used to treat my Linux app menu like a forgotten drawer. I rarely opened it, only to switch to my terminal a bit later. Then I found Ulauncher. It quietly replaced my start menu, app grid, and desktop shortcuts. Once I got used to it, I wondered why I ever clicked through menus in the first place.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Microsoft’s AI dream is a user’s nightmare: 3 ways an "Agentic OS" fails

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 16:15

With Microsoft's long-term vision aiming for Windows to become an agentic OS, you may think about switching away. I don't blame you because it sounds like a horrible idea, and one that I believe will end in disaster—I have three reasons why.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to use the REDUCE function in Microsoft Excel

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 16:00

VBA used to be the only way to handle iterative, multistep logic in Microsoft Excel. Not anymore. REDUCE brings the power of functional programming directly into your cells, allowing you to condense complex, messy data into single, clean results.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The Notepad upgrade, cheaper YouTube TV, and Nova Launcher's new owner: News roundup

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 15:30

This was another busy week for tech news, including more updates (and bugs) for Windows 11, cheaper plans for YouTube TV, Amazon bricking smart home hardware, and more. Here are the biggest stories you might have missed.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Why this hot hatch is the only one worth your money today

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 15:00

Hot hatches are everywhere these days, from mild sport compacts to full-blown speed demons, but one still stands out from the crowd. Even after decades on the road, this car proves that you don’t have to sacrifice practicality for fun.

Categories: IT General, Technology

The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is down to a record-low price at Amazon — save $500 right now

Mashable - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 14:24

SAVE $500: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale at Amazon for $1,099, down from the normal price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that matches the record low at Amazon.

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$1,599 Save $500   Get Deal

Despite the FCC ban on foreign drones, you can still get yourself a DJI drone. The fine print of the ban explains that any drone already in the country are excluded from the new legislation, which means they're fair game for ownership and operation. However, that means stock is dwindling, so if you're searching for a DJI drone, check out this deal.

As of Jan. 24, the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is on sale for $1,099 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $1,599. That's a 31% discount that takes a hefty $500 off the price. It also matches the record low at Amazon.

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The DJI Mini 5 Pro is a premium drone and the Fly More Combo makes it just that much more appealing. The bundle includes the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone itself, the DJI RC 2 camera-drone remote controller, a set of filters, three DJI Mini 5 Pro Intelligent Flight batteries, three propeller sets, a shoulder bag, and more. Boiled down, this is everything you'd want for an epic drone set-up.

In terms of performance, the DJI Mini 5 Pro is a stellar model. It has a one-inch CMOS camera with 4K HDR filming at 60fps. You can also go with 4K 120fps for slow-motion filming. DJI also made this model especially appealing for night flying thanks to the 360 degree Nightscape Omnidirectional Sensing and Nighttime return-to-home function. DJI's ActiveTrack 360° technology is a must-have feature if you'll be filming moving subjects like a cyclist, skier, or surfer.

While it's still in stock and on sale for a record-low price, snag the DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo. The bundle is packed with advanced accessories while still being a perfect model for beginners.

Categories: IT General, Technology

5 Milwaukee M12 tools that are worth the hype (and the money)

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 14:15

It's no secret that Milwaukee is one of the most popular tool brands, and while many owners love the M18 line of powerful 18V tools, Milwaukee's M12 platform is equally excellent at a lower price point. If you're looking to get your money's worth with a new tool purchase, here are five M12 tools that live up to the hype.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to use the ROWS function in Microsoft Excel

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 14:00

Many Excel users abandon the ROWS function because it feels like a technicality they can skip. However, to build a truly functional workbook, you need formulas that adapt to your data dimensions, and the ROWS function is ideal for this. Here are four ways I use it to make my Excel spreadsheet smarter.

Categories: IT General, Technology

People are freaking out about Fallout — but are they right?

Mashable - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 14:00

People are freaking out about Fallout — and the reactions couldn’t be more divided. Some fans are calling it one of the best video game adaptations ever made. Others think it’s already betraying Fallout’s canon. So… are they right?

Categories: IT General, Technology

These 5 smartphone features got way better without anyone noticing

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 13:30

I don’t have to tell you that phones are really good now, and you can probably point to the areas where that’s obvious. Cameras, displays, processors, build materials, and so much more. However, phones have improved in sneaky ways, too.

Categories: IT General, Technology

How to make minimalist city maps in seconds using a free Python script

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 13:00

You’ve probably seen those social media adverts for minimalist maps of your city, but did you know you can create your own? While it might seem like a lot of work, this simple Python script takes minutes to set up and is easy to use on pretty much any computer.

Categories: IT General, Technology

8 jq patterns that make JSON work painless

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 12:30

These jq filters handle the jobs you do every day: select, map, reduce, sort, defaults, and formatting. Find out how to use these vital features with explanations and examples.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Nothing Ear (3) review: Decent sound with mediocre microphones

How-To Geek - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 12:00

The Nothing Ear (3) has an eye-grabbing design with a pleasant sound and a unique case to boot. Unfortunately, there are two major downsides working against what would otherwise be decent earbuds.

Categories: IT General, Technology

Winter storm snowfall levels: See online how many inches have fallen nationwide

Mashable - Sat, 01/24/2026 - 11:15

Winter is here, and that means snow! Just how much snow? Well, back in the day, after a big snowfall, you'd need to whip out the ruler or yardstick and actually trek out into the white winter wonderland. And with a huge winter storm set to blanket much of the South and Northeast this weekend (200 million Americans are expected to see snowfall), this isn't a rhetorical question.

Nowadays, thankfully, you don't even have to go outside to see just how long you'll be digging out your car or shoveling your walkway.

There are a few great online resources that can let you know just how many inches — or dare I say feet — of snow fell anywhere in the country. So, whether you're checking up on your adult kids, a distant relative, or your own backyard, here's how to check how many inches of snow have fallen.

NWS Snowmap and NWS Snowfall Analysis

Perhaps the easiest and most straightforward way to find out how much snow fell in your town is directly from the National Weather Service. There's the National Weather Service's Snowmap and the National Weather Service's Snowfall Analysis map. Both maps track how much snow, measured in inches, has fallen and place it on a map of the U.S. in a simple and easy-to-understand way. The Snowmap tracks the snowfall in a specific U.S. city by using circular markers color-coded to match the snowfall amounts, whereas the Snowfall Analysis website maps out the snowfall with a more traditional weather report design. Users can check out how much snow fell in the past hour, the past 24 hours, and the past 72 hours.

It's important to note that the NWS Snowmap and Snowfall Analysis sites only track how much snow has already fallen — they aren't forecasting services.

USA Today Snowfall Accumulation Tracker

If you're looking for a more modern tracker, then perhaps the USA Today Snowfall Accumulation Tracker is for you.

USA Today has built a sleeker tracker that uses the same trusted data from the National Weather Service. The site maps out the snowfall across the U.S. over the past 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. It even throws in a "Season" toggle so you can see how much snow has accumulated for the entire winter season so far.

Windy: The Windy map and weather forecast

If you're a complete weather head, then Windy.com might be the site for you. Windy maps out weather forecasts of all types — temperature, wind gusts, and, yes, snowfall. Unlike the previous options, Windy will also give you future forecasts of snowfall and not just how much snow is already on the ground.

Windy includes a highly interactive map, but there are also premium options that require a paid subscription, so unless you're a hardcore weather nerd seeking more than just how many inches fell in your hometown, it might just be more straightforward to check out the other platforms.

NCEI's Daily U.S. Snowfall and Snow Depth report

National Centers for Environmental Information's Daily U.S. Snowfall and Snow Depth report will provide the most accurate information when it comes to how much snow fell in your location.

However, the snowfall report will usually come a few days after the snow has already fallen. Why? Because the data is pulled from the Global Historical Climatology Network daily (GHCNd) database, which basically records daily climate summaries from land surface stations around the world.

With more than 100,000 stations, this data is as accurate as you're going to get if you want to know how much snow fell in a specific area.

Categories: IT General, Technology
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