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Revision as of 01:27, 4 January 2025 by Noble Attempt (talk | contribs) (Created starting article for currently ongoing winter storm in the United States. Is there is an existing article or collaborative draft article covering this storm prior to this article's creation, feel free to merge this articles information with it and redirect this article to it.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Type | Winter storm Polar vortex |
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| Formed | January 3, 2025 |
| Part of the 2024–25 North American winter | |
The January 2025 North American winter storm, unofficially nicknamed Winter Storm Blair by The Weather Channel, is an ongoing winter storm impacting the northwestern United States.
Meteorological history
On 2:00 PM CST January 2, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a forecast that warned of an approaching major winter storm system expected to impact several regions of the continental United States, describing it as a "brutal mess". The NWS forecast outlined expectations for heavy snowfall and significant icing across several geographical regions, ranging from the central Great Plains to the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, before reaching the Mid-Atlantic region. The forecast predicted 60-90 percent chance of accumulations reaching at least 6 inches in the central Great Plains and central Mississippi Valley regions, and a significant icing event primarily impacting eastern Kansas through the Ozarks before impacting the Tennessee and lower Ohio Valleys and the southern Appalachians.
Winter storm advisories issued by the NWS throughout 3 January extended approximately 1,500 miles from western Kansas to West Virginia, marking one of the most extensive winter weather warning areas in the 2024-25 North American winter season up to the beginning of 2025.
Meteorologist for Fox Weather Bob Van Dillen expressed warnings for freezing rain across the Midwest, which he stated would likely bring down several power lines and cause widespread power outages when coupled with wind estimates of 20-30 mph. He also warned of a weakening polar jet stream resulting in a polar vortex that could potentially move Arctic air as far south as the Mississippi Valley, describing the multiple impacts as "releasing the Kraken".
The winter storm system originated in the Pacific Northwest before tracking southeastward. According to the National Weather Service, the storm first made landfall during the afternoon of 3 January along the west coast.
Preparations
Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin issued a state of emergency on 3 January.
Multiple Maryland school districts issued schedule changes for students in order to avoid severe weather.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet issued warnings for residents to avoid road travel due to projected hazardous conditions brought on by freezing rain and icing.
Following snow warnings of 6-12 inches, Jacksonville and South Jacksonville, IL, issued snow emergencies, and emphasized that vehicles parked on emergency snow routes would be towed.
Major U.S. airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, implemented fee waivers for flight changes during the event.
Impact
After making landfall along the northern West Coast of the continental United States, valley areas in Eastern Washington experienced freezing rain during the afternoon and evening of 3 January, while widespread snowfall accumulated in mountainous regions across Washington and Montana.
Travel advisories were issued in Montana due to heavy snowfall in mountainous areas in conjunction with strong wind gusts. Nearly all regions of Montana were impacted by heavy snowfall, with cold weather advisories issued across northeast Montana.
References
- "Winter Storm Blair A Major Snow And Ice Threat | Weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- Edwards, Joe (2025-01-03). "Winter storm forecast worsens as meteorologists warn of "brutal mess"". Newsweek. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- ^ "Powerful winter storm to bring snowy, icy conditions to Midwest, Mid-Atlantic - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- ^ Castro, Amanda (2025-01-03). "Hazardous conditions expected as winter storm to hit Nebraska, Iowa". Newsweek. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- "NWS Weather Prediction Center". Twitter/X. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- "Governor Youngkin declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm". WSLS. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- "KYTC District 8 Crews Prepared for Significant Winter Storm". THE WAVE. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- Bauer, David C.L. (3 January 2025). "Snow emergencies declared in Jacksonville, South Jacksonville as winter storm approaches". My Journal Courier. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ Forecaster, Jenny Power, NonStop Local Weather (2025-01-03). "Freezing rain and snow hit Eastern Washington and Montana". NonStop Local Billings. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "No Dry January for Montana". KTVH. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
- Smith, Tracy (2025-01-03). "Widespread accumulating snow will lead to slick roads and areas of low visibility through the weekend". NonStop Local Montana. Retrieved 2025-01-04.