The witches are powerful in two important senses. In the first sense—the supernatural sense—they possess evil powers which they can harness to destroy anyone who gets in their way. As well as being evil, the Weird Sisters are rather petty and vindictive. One of them vows to drain the very life out of a sailor simply because his wife wouldn't share her chestnuts.
In natural terms, the witches are powerful in that they mesmerize Macbeth with prospects of earthly power. They successfully plant the seeds of ambition in Macbeth's mind, which act as a catalyst for his subsequent descent into barbarism. Macbeth becomes obsessed with the witches's prophecies, ensuring that the Weird Sisters continue to exert a hold over him right up until the end of the play. When their wicked spell is finally broken, it's too late for Macbeth, and he is slain by a vengeful Macduff.
Though there is disagreement among readers about whether or not the Weird Sisters truly possess the ability to prophesy or influence the future, it is clear they do have some supernatural powers at least. For example, after delivering their predictions to Macbeth and Banquo in Act I, Scene 3, the witches vanish. Obviously, this is not something the average person can do, so it does show us the Weird Sisters have some power.
Later, the Weird Sisters meet up with Hecate, the ancient Greek goddess of witchcraft and magic, and they discuss how they are going to continue to manipulate Macbeth. Namely, they will make him feel safe so he lets down his guard and becomes vulnerable. Hecate says, "you all know security / Is mortals' chiefest enemy" (Act III, Scene 5, lines 32-33). She and the witches powerfully manipulate Macbeth so he feels secure, using the apparitions they conjure to do so. They are thus powerful in this way as well.
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