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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Katie Hawkinson,Shweta Sharma and Julia Musto

Storm Blair live: Deadly winter conditions cause hundreds of crashes as 63 million hit by snow and ice

United States the National Weather Service

An arctic blast is battering the southern US as a brutal winter storm blows from the Ohio River Valley to the mid-Atlantic on Monday morning.

The storm has disrupted travel, bringing heavy snow, ice and wind to the eastern two-thirds of the U.S. At least seven deaths tied to inclement weather were reported over the weekend in Missouri and Kansas.

Hundreds of flights have been canceled across airports in the Midwest and along the East Coast, and officials in several states are pleading with residents to keep off the roads unless there’s an emergency.

And, hundreds of thousands of customers have been left in the dark in Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and other states, according to the tracker PowerOutage.US.

“For some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade,” the NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center said in a statement.

Meanwhile, frigid air is blowing into the southern US, bringing single-digit “feels like” temperatures to much of Texas and causing officials to issue a freeze watch in orange-growing Florida.

Many states, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Virginia, issued states of emergency ahead of the storm. Washington, D.C. is also under a snow emergency alert as of Sunday afternoon.

Key Points

  • Seven US states declare emergencies
  • Inclement weather results in several deaths
  • Flights cancelled as arctic blast causes travel chaos
  • More than 300,000 customers have been left without power
  • Track winter storm Blair with this interactive map
  • Winter Storm Blair in photos: See Americans respond to the storm

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport’s runways close for the night

22:39 , Julia Musto

Florida’s Jacksonville Jaguars were stuck on an Indianapolis tarmac for seven hours

22:30 , Julia Musto
A statue of football great Peyton Manning is seen covered in snow outside Indiana’s Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday. The Indianapolis Colts beat Florida’s Jacksonville Jaguars during the storm (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Florida’s Jacksonville Jaguars returned home early Monday after spending seven hours waiting through a winter storm on the tarmac at Indianapolis International Airport.

The NFL team lost to the Colts 26-23.

With reporting from The Associated Press

Power slowly restored in Virginia and other eastern states

22:16 , Julia Musto

Power was slowly coming back on in eastern states that were slammed by a winter storm on Monday.

There were 245,560 customers without power in 12 states affected by the inclement weather, according to tracker PowerOutage.US. The majority of outages were still in Virginia.

Scary photo shows Kentucky state trooper’s vehicle following crash

22:15 , Julia Musto

Kentucky utility works to restore power after more than 400 wires were reported down

22:00 , Julia Musto

Deadly winter storm sends airports into chaos as more than 302,000 customers left without power

21:45 , Julia Musto

Deadly winter storm causes airport chaos as thousands without power

Here’s how to clear a vehicle that’s covered with ice and snow

21:30 , Julia Musto

Cold weather also killed a person in Houston, Texas

21:15 , Julia Musto

An individual was found dead Monday morning at a bus stop in Houston, Texas.

The death was confirmed to be due to cold weather, officials told Fox 26.

Temperatures in the area dipped into the low 30s overnight, according to Houston Public Media.

While Washington’s zoo visitors are away, the pandas will play — in the snow

21:00 , Julia Musto

Winter Storm Blair blankets the U.S.

20:45 , Julia Musto
A dog stands as people participate in snowball fight at Meridian Hill Park in Washington, D.C., on Monday. The nation’s capital was expected to see multiple inches through Monday evening (REUTERS/Marko Djurica)
A child catches snowflakes with their tongue during El Museo del Barrio’s 47th annual Three Kings Day parade on Monday in New York City. The Big Apple saw flurries into the early afternoon (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Vehicles use a single lane in each direction on a snow-covered four-lane street in Indianapolis, Indiana on Monday. The last time the city saw this much snow was nearly two years ago (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
A woman crosses a snowy Brooklyn street in New York City on Monday. New York’s Central Park saw just about a half an inch of snow on Monday (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Kentucky police say dispatch saw a 70 percent increase in calls between Sunday and Monday

20:30 , Julia Musto

Kentucky’s Fayette County schools will remain closed through mid-week

20:15 , Julia Musto

More than 4,100 flight delays are reported within, into, or out of the US

20:00 , Julia Musto

More than 4,100 flight delays were reported by the early afternoon on Monday, according to tracker FlightAware.

There have also been 1,837 cancelations within, into, or out of the country.

More than 302,000 customers in the eastern U.S. are without power

19:45 , Julia Musto

More than 302,000 customers in states across the eastern U.S. are without power during Monday’s winter storm.

However, numbers were on the decline in Virginia, which had the highest number of outages, according to online tracker PowerOutage.US.

Dominion Energy, the state’s utility company, said crews were working to restore power in the hard hit areas of Richmond, Farmville, and Altavista.

19:30 , Julia MustoSnow plows along New York interstate amid lake effect snow

Missouri public works employee dies while removing snow

19:15 , Julia Musto

Officials in Missouri’s Jackson County announced Monday that 61-year-old Everett Carter had been struck and killed on Sunday while performing snow removal operations.

Carter had “dedicated 40 years of service to Jackson County, including the last 8 years with the Public Works team.”

“This is a heartbreaking loss for our entire Jackson County family,” Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. said in a press release, according to KSHB. “Everett Carter dedicated four decades of his life to serving our community with pride and professionalism. We will forever be grateful for his service and deeply miss his presence. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.”

Interactive map shows winter storm over the eastern US

19:00 , Julia Musto

North Carolina woman dies in fatal crash on icy road

18:45 , Julia Musto

A North Carolina woman is dead following a crash on an icy road.

Winston-Salem’s Roshena Lusandra Mason, 46, was reportedly driving northbound on U.S. 52 when her Kia lost control, went off the road, and crashed into several trees, according to WGHP.

The overpass had been slick due to winter weather conditions.

While Mason was pronounced dead at the scene, a male passenger was taken to a local hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Police warned drivers about hazardous travel conditions and icy and slick roads.

“If you must travel, please exercise extreme caution. And most importantly, slow down! Officers will be responding to calls as quickly as possible, but due to call volumes typically increasing during winter weather, response times may be delayed. We appreciate your patience in advance,” the Winston-Salem department said in a Facebook post.

Maryland police respond to 475 calls for service in winter storm

18:30 , Julia Musto

Biden and his team are monitoring the winter storm

18:15 , Julia Musto

President Joe Biden and his team are monitoring the severe winter weather across much of the U.S., the White House said on Monday.

“We want to encourage all Americans affected by this weather to take it seriously, continue to monitor forecasts, and heed the warnings of local officials,” White House spokesperson Jeremy Edwards said.

With reporting from The Associated Press

New York begins to see flurries

18:00 , Julia Musto

Four years after the January 6 Capitol riot, police guard building amid winter storm

17:45 , Julia Musto
Three police officers stand in front of the U.S. Capitol Building on Monday in Washington, D.C. Monday marks the fourth anniversary since rioters stormed the Capitol (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
The Washington Monument is visible as a U.S. Capitol Police officer stands guard at the U.S. Capitol Building on Monday. Snow from the winter storm is seen falling outside. The area will see several inches before the day is done (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
U.S. Capitol Police officers stand watch outside the U.S. Capitol building as snow falls ahead of a joint session of Congress. Travel in the area has been snarled by Winter Storm Blair (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

Cincinnati Airport works to clear airfield after historic snowfall

17:30 , Julia Musto

Up to 12 inches of snow are forecast to fall across the Mid-Atlantic

17:15 , Julia Musto

The first winter storm of the season is expected to produce between six and 12 inches of snow across the Mid-Atlantic, including in Washington, D.C., forecasters warned Monday.

An additional two to four inches are anticipated to fall over the Ohio Valley and Central Appalachians, the National Weather Service warned.

By Monday evening, freezing rain and light icing is forecast to develop from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic.

Icicles block Virginia road cam

17:00 , Julia Musto

Virginia sees more than 200 crashes in just 12 hours — including one fatality

16:45 , Julia Musto

In Virginia, state police said they had responded to more than 200 crashes between 4 p.m. Sunday and 4 a.m. Monday, although not all of the incidents were storm related.

Several accidents included injuries. One was fatal.

A 32-year-old man identified as Timothy Lee Tanner died around midnight in Wakefield after his truck ran off the road and struck a tree, according to WRIC. Police said he was driving too fast for roadway conditions and wasn’t wearing a seat belt, while alcohol appears to be a contributing factor.

With reporting from The Associated Press

President Biden changes travel plans due to weather

16:34 , Julia Musto

Snowy conditions in Washington, D.C., forced a change in President Joe Biden’s travel plans on Monday.

Biden, who is heading to New Orleans following the New Year’s Day truck attack, will drive to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland to board Air Force One for the flight. He typically flies directly to the base on the Marine One helicopter.

With reporting from The Associated Press

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport sees record snowfall

16:30 , Julia Musto

Some 8.4 inches of snow fell in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sunday, resulting in flight cancelations.

That marks their snowiest day since 1998 and broke their record daily maximum snowfall set in 1977.

A few more inches of snow were expected on Monday across Cincinnati, where car and truck crashes Monday morning shut down at least two major routes.

With reporting from The Associated Press

Rail travel also snarled by winter storm

16:15 , Julia Musto

Tthe nation’s passenger railways have also been disrupted by the storm, with more than 20 cancelations reported on Sunday and about 40 planned for Monday.

“If local authorities are telling people not to travel, it’s counterintuitive to try to run a full slate of services when people are being told to stay home,” Amtrak spokesperson Marc Magliari told The Associated Press.

In Photos: Americans respond to deadly winter storm

16:00 , Julia Musto
People throw snowballs on Monday near D.C.’s Washington Monument as U.S. flags fly at half-staff in memorial to former President Jimmy Carter. The city will see several inches of snow (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Desheria Franklin, who works for the city of Annapolis, shovels snow on Monday in Annapolis, Maryland. Maryland schools were closed due to the inclement weather conditions (AP Photo/Brian Witte)
Snow covers homes on Monday during a winter storm in Cincinnati, Ohio. The city saw record snowfall over the weekend (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
A truck sprays salt on the street during a winter storm in Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday. Very cold temperatures will persist there throughout the week (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

Winter storm conditions force school closures

15:45 , Julia Musto

Schools were closed Monday in multiple states across the eastern U.S. due to winter storm conditions.

Closures were reported in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, as well as Richmond, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

“Our priority is the safety of everyone in our city and getting D.C. cleaned and fully opened as soon as possible,” Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote in a post on social media.

“That said, if you don’t need to be on the roads tonight and tomorrow, stay home.”

Multiple deaths tied to inclement weather over the weekend

15:30 , Julia Musto

At least three deaths linked to inclement weather were reported over the weekend.

In Kansas, a Yukon SUV traveling in southbound on Interstate 235 spun out of control, the state’s highway patrol said.

“While going down the embankment, the vehicle rolled an unknown number of times. Both occupants were unrestrained and ejected from the vehicle. The vehicle came to rest upright, facing Northwest by the KDOT fence,” a report noted.

A young man and woman in their mid-twenties were killed in the incident. They were identified as Nathaniel Boyd and Whitney Almond.

In Missouri, the state’s highway patrol said a 33 year-old man from Neligh, Nebraska, was killed after his vehicle — which had been parked on the shoulder of Mound City’s Interstate 29 — began to slide down a hill.

Authorities said that at least 600 motorists had been stranded in the state. Hundreds of other car accidents were reported in Virginia, Kansas, Indiana, and Kentucky.

With reporting from The Associated Press

Satellite imagery shows extent of major winter storm

15:15 , Julia Musto

Hundreds of flight cancelations are reported across the U.S.

15:00 , Julia Musto

Hundreds of flight cancelations and delays are reported at airports across the eastern US on Monday morning.

More than 230 cancelations were reported at D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C., according to tracker FlightAware.

And, Maryland’s Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Major winter storm forces more than 280,000 customers into the dark

14:30 , Julia Musto

More than 280,000 customers are in the dark on Monday as a major winter storm sweeps across the eastern US.

The majority of the outages were reported in Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana, according to outage tracker PowerOutage.US.

Watch: Nation’s capital bracing for dangerous winter storm

14:00 , Katie Hawkinson

In pictures: Kansas hit with blizzard-like conditions

12:30 , Katie Hawkinson
A rider makes his way through Wichita, Kansas on a one-wheel electric scooter in blizzard-like conditions on Sunday morning (AP)
Cyclists travel through Wichita, Kansas during heavy snowfall on Sunday morning (AP)
A Shawnee, Kansas resident uses a snow blower amid a major winter storm on Sunday morning (Getty Images)

In pictures: Kentucky buried under winter storm

11:00 , Katie Hawkinson
A plane sits parked during a snow storm at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday (Getty Images)
A snow-covered limo sits parked in Louisville on Sunday (Getty Images)
Cars sit parked during a snowstorm in Louisville on Sunday (Getty Images)

Watch: Multiple vehicles slide off Kansas City highway during winter storm

09:30 , Katie Hawkinson

Mapped: Snowfall predictions across US as winter storm batters several states

08:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Video: See conditions around Lexington as the city is hit by a winter storm

06:30 , Katie Hawkinson

Watch: DC mayor declares snow emergency ahead of major winter storm

05:01 , Katie Hawkinson

Schools and government offices to remain closed in Philadelphia

05:00 , Shweta Sharma

Schools and government offices have been ordered to remain closed in Philadelphia with more snow expected on Monday.

The School District of Philadelphia said it will remain closed Monday due to the expected winter storm.

Philadelphia is expected to see seven inches of snow Monday morning with temperature likely to drop to -6C.

Nearly 150,000 power outages in worst-hit US states

04:36 , Shweta Sharma

Severe weather has left nearly 150,000 residents without electricity in Missouri, Illinois, Louisiana and Kentucky, according to Poweroutage.US.

Kentucky suffered the most power outages with 52,754 remaining without electricity.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Heavy snowfall has brought down trees, snapping power lines and blocking roads, further complicating restoration efforts.

Flights cancelled as arctic blast causes travel chaos

03:45 , Shweta Sharma

Heavy snow and freezing rain are causing travel chaos for millions of commuters across the US, as well as in parts of Europe and the UK.

In the US more than 1,000 flights were cancelled and over 3,000 were delayed due to the sweeping wintry weather conditions yesterday.

The Kansas City international airport temporarily halted flight operations in the afternoon due to ice.

Dozens of flights were delayed, including a charter jet transporting the Kansas City Chiefs, before the runways reopened.

Kansas also shut down all state highways due to “impassable” conditions, according to the state’s Transportation Department. The closures included roughly 220 miles (354kms) of the state’s main artery, Interstate 70, from the Missouri border into central Kansas.

Hundreds of car accidents were reported across Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky. In Kentucky, a state trooper sustained non-life-threatening injuries after his patrol car was struck on Interstate 65.

In Missouri, the highway patrol reported that at least 600 motorists were stranded.

(Danny Lawson/PA)

Kentucky governor Andy Beshear, who declared a state emergency ahead of the storm, said state buildings would be closed Monday.

“We see far too many wrecks out there for people that do not have to be on the roads, so I want to ask: Stay inside. Stay safe with your family,” the governor said.

Virginia State Police reported at least 135 crashes as the storm entered the state Sunday. A handful of injuries were reported.

Seven US states declare emergencies

03:35 , Shweta Sharma

Seven US states have declared whole or partial states of emergency as a wintry blast of snow, ice and wind is expected to roil the region with the heaviest snowfall and lowest temperatures in over a decade.

More than 60 million Americans across 30 US states are under weather alerts, bracing for heavy snow and bitter cold on Monday.

Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri declared states of emergency, while New Jersey declared an emergency for several counties including Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said bone-chilling arctic air is set to move in behind the storm front, with daytime temperatures on Monday and Tuesday predicted to be 10 to 20 degrees F below average from the Great Plains to the East Coast.

Hundreds of car accidents were reported in Virginia, Indiana, Kansas and Kentucky, where a state trooper was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after his patrol car was hit on Interstate 65. At least 600 motorists were stranded in Missouri, the state’s highway patrol said.

Watch: Governor Andy Beshear says Kentucky should expect major impacts from winter storm

03:30 , Katie Hawkinson

Mapped: Winter storm’s path to mid-Atlantic

02:00 , Katie Hawkinson

In pictures: Cincinnati sees flurry of snow

00:30 , Katie Hawkinson
A snow plow clears a parking lot in Cincinnati on Sunday. Cincinnati and the surrounding area are under a winter storm warning for the rest of Sunday (AP)
A Cincinnati resident brushes snow off his car on Sunday. The winter storm will reach the mid-Atlantic late Sunday or early Monday after passing through the Ohio River Valley (AP)
Cars drive on a highway in Cincinnati as snow falls on Sunday (AP)

Several states to face ‘extensive area of heavy snow,’ NWS says

Sunday 5 January 2025 23:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Several states will face an “extensive area of heavy snow” from the winter storm tonight and Monday, the National Weather Service said.

Northern Missouri and the Central Appalachians could see up to 14 inches of snow while the mid-Atlantic — including the Washington, D.C. metro area — could see up to a foot of snow.

“Heavy freezing rain” will also hit the Mid-South overnight, which could cause widespread power outages and create dangerous road conditions.

Key messages from the National Weather Service on Sunday afternoon (National Weather Services)

Ice coats Louisville, threatening power outages

Sunday 5 January 2025 22:30 , Katie Hawkinson

Louisville, Kentucky has been hit with “significant icing,” prompting concerns about road travel and threatening power lines.

There are more than 20,000 customers without power in Kentucky as of late Sunday afternoon, according to PowerOutage.us. Meanwhile, about 30,000 customers are without power in nearby Missouri.

More than 90% of flights leaving Kansas City airport canceled

Sunday 5 January 2025 22:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Ninety-four percent of flights departing from Kansas City International Airport have been canceled as of late Sunday afternoon, according to FlightAware.

At the airport, 143 departing flights, along with 141 arriving flights, have been canceled so far today.

In pictures: Kentucky buried under winter storm

Sunday 5 January 2025 21:30 , Katie Hawkinson
A plane sits parked during a snow storm at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday (Getty Images)
Cars sit parked during a snowstorm in Louisville on Sunday. Freezing rain and ice are expected this evening, threatening power outages and impacting travel (Getty Images)
A snow-covered limo sits parked in Louisville on Sunday (Getty Images)

Dallas-Fort Worth airport sees almost 200 cancelations

Sunday 5 January 2025 21:15 , Katie Hawkinson

Nearly 190 flights to and from Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport have been canceled today as severe winter weather disrupts travel across the country, according to FlightAware.

There have also been more than 1,000 delayed flights to and from the Texas airport.

This puts DFW as the airport with the third-most cancelations today, ranking just below Kansas City International Airport and St. Louis Lambert International Airport.

The Dallas-Forth Worth area, along with most of Texas, is under a cold weather advisory due to a blast of Arctic air this week. “Feels like” temperatures will drop into single digits this week through much of the state, according to the National Weather Service.

Watch: Multiple vehicles slide off Kansas City highway during winter storm

Sunday 5 January 2025 21:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Tornado watches issued in multiple states

Sunday 5 January 2025 20:30 , Katie Hawkinson

Intense thunderstorms are hitting the southern US, prompting tornado watches in areas of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

Midwest airports see increasing cancelations amid storm

Sunday 5 January 2025 20:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Three major midwest airports are seeing hundreds of cancelations as a winter storm system passes from the Central Plains to the mid-Atlantic, according to FlightAware.

Kansas City International Airport is leading in cancelations today, with more than 270 flights to and from the airport canceled as of Sunday afternoon. St. Louis Lambert International Airport is in second place, with nearly 250 flights to and from the airport canceled.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport is starting to see cancelations too, with just under 160 flights to and from canceled as of Sunday afternoon.

These three airports are leading the US in cancelations this afternoon, FlightAware reports.

Watch: Nation’s capital bracing for dangerous winter storm

Sunday 5 January 2025 19:30 , Katie Hawkinson

Severe thunderstorms to hit southern US

Sunday 5 January 2025 19:00 , Katie Hawkinson

Severe thunderstorms will hit the southern US as a brutal winter storm passes across the country.

Level 3 thunderstorm warnings are in effect for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, according to the Storm Prediction Center.

Heavy rain, high winds and damaging hail are all expected.

Snowfall could break records in many cities

Sunday 5 January 2025 18:29 , Katie Hawkinson

This week’s winter storm could break January snowfall records in several cities as it brings heavy snow and ice to much of the US.

Kansas City could be on track to surpass its previous January snowfall record of 7.2 inches, set in 2011. Meanwhile, Indianapolis could surpass its 2014 record of 11.4 inches for the month of January.

A Shawnee, Kansas resident uses a snow blower amid a major winter storm on Sunday morning (Getty Images)

Power outage update: Kansas improves as Missouri numbers rise

Sunday 5 January 2025 18:00 , Katie Hawkinson

As a winter storm pummels the Central Plains region, thousands are expected to lose power due to heavy snow and ice.

In Kansas, just over 6,000 customers are without power, an improvement from the 10,000 reported this morning.

Meanwhile, Missouri has more than 20,000 customers without power, up from 15,000 this morning.

In pictures: Kansas hit with blizzard-like conditions

Sunday 5 January 2025 17:37 , Katie Hawkinson
Cyclists travel through Wichita, Kansas during heavy snowfall on Sunday morning (AP)
A car drives on Interstate 70 amid heavy snowfall in Topeka, Kansas on Sunday morning (via REUTERS)
A rider makes his way through Wichita, Kansas on a one-wheel electric scooter in blizzard-like conditions on Sunday morning (AP)

Pictures roll in as snow blasts midwest

Sunday 5 January 2025 17:02 , Katie Hawkinson

Pictures are rolling in from the midwest as snow and ice blast the region.

Kansas police post humorous warning to stay off roads

Sunday 5 January 2025 16:57 , Katie Hawkinson

The Lawrence, Kansas Police Department issued a humorous warning on X telling residents to stay off the roads as a winter storm pummels their region.

“The crash reports haven’t stopped, but they’ve slowed significantly,” the department wrote. “Precipitation is not currently falling, and traffic has lightened substantially (finally).”

“THIS DOES NOT MEAN THE ROADS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE, ALAN. Keep your suburbitank in the driveway and turn up the fireplace.”

Missouri officials issue plead with residents to avoid non-emergency travel

Sunday 5 January 2025 16:22 , Katie Hawkinson

Missouri officials are imploring residents to avoid non-emergency travel until tomorrow as snow and ice pelt the region.

“Drivers need to avoid traveling until conditions improve sometime on Monday,” Missouri Department of Transportation Chief Safety and Operations Officer Becky Allmeroth, according to local outlet KMBC.

“For the remainder of this weekend, travel should be limited to emergencies only,” Allmeroth added. “These difficult conditions will also delay response times for our crews and emergency response partners.”

The National Weather Service issued a similar warning.

“Again, PLEASE STAY HOME IF AT ALL POSSIBLE,” the agency’s bureau in Kansas City wrote on X. “Or at very least use EXTREME caution.”

Missouri airports lead nation in flight cancelations

Sunday 5 January 2025 16:06 , Katie Hawkinson

Two airports Missouri — where more than 16,000 people are already without power as a winter storm blasts the Central Plains — are leading the country in flight cancelations, according to FlightAware.

Airlines have canceled 218 flights to and from St. Louis Lambert International Airport. Another 191 flights to and from Kansas City International Airport were also canceled as of Sunday morning.

These airports have canceled more flights than any other airport in the US today, FlightAware data shows.

Officials have warned that air travel could be disrupted and road travel could become highly dangerous due to heavy snowfall and ice from the storm, which will reach the mid-Atlantic late Sunday or early Monday.

Thousands already without power as storm begins rampage

Sunday 5 January 2025 15:56 , Katie Hawkinson

More than 25,000 people are already without power across Kansas and Missouri, according to PowerOutage.us, as a winter storm hits the Central Plains before heading toward the mid-Atlantic.

Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska could see winds over 40 mph and up to 15 inches of snowfall today, according to the National Weather Service. Meanwhile, up to 14 inches of snow could hit northeast Missouri through the Central Appalachians.

Arctic air to impact millions, reaching as far south as Florida

Sunday 5 January 2025 15:48 , Katie Hawkinson

Freezing air from the Arctic will hit the eastern two-thirds of the US, the Associated Press reports, bringing strong and frigid wind chills to millions of people.

This Arctic blast will even impact Florida, according to the AP.

“The wind chills are going to be brutal,” Woodwell Climate Research Institute climate scientist Jennifer Francis told the outlet.

This wind could make for the coldest January in the country since 2011, Accuweather Director of Forecast Operations Dan DePodwin said.

This winter storm is expected to make road travel particularly dangerous, bringing heavy snowfall and ice to several states.

What to expect as winter storm pummels much of US

Sunday 5 January 2025 15:43 , Katie Hawkinson

A “major winter storm” bringing “significant snow and ice” across the Central Plains and mid-Atlantic regions will strike today through Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska could see winds over 40 mph and 15 inches of snowfall today. Meanwhile, up to 14 inches of snow could hit northeast Missouri through the Central Appalachians.

A “substantial area” of freezing rain is also expected from Kansas through the Central Appalachians today.

The mid-Atlantic region, including the major metro areas of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., will see the worst of the storm tonight through Monday.

Key messages from the National Weather Service about this weekend’s winter storm (National Weather Service)

Brutal winter storm stretches from Central Plains to mid-Atlantic

Sunday 5 January 2025 15:38 , Katie Hawkinson

A winter storm will barrel across the US today and Monday, bringing up to a foot of snow along with ice and rain to millions.

Some 70 million people are under some kind of weather alert this morning as the storm ramps up. Dangerous travel conditions and power outages are expected as the system moves from the Ohio River Valley to the East Coast late Sunday into Monday.

“For some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade,” the NOAA’s Weather Prediction Center said in a statement.

Follow along for live updates from The Independent.

A map issued by the National Weather Service on Saturday morning. Purple, pink and red indicate areas under weather alerts as a storm systems travels across the Central Plains to the mid-Atlantic (National Weather Service)
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