Winter Storm Blair - summary
A major winter storm has swept large swathes of the US, killing people in its path, grounding flights, knocking out power, and endangering roads.
Four people have been killed as a result of the severe weather, according to officials.
Seven states – Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, and Florida – are experiencing widespread power outages, according to poweroutage.us. Kentucky is the hardest hit, with more than 75,000 customers without power. People are going without heat and electricity during freezing temperatures. Utility companies in these states are working to restore power, officials say.
Travel has been disrupted in much of the country. Airlines canceled 1,841 flights within, to or out of the US as of Monday morning, according to data from flight-tracker FlightAware. Another 4,135 flights have been delayed. Several Amtrak trains have also been cancelled.
A state of emergency has been declared in several states, including for all of West Virgnia and Maryland, as well as several counties in Missouri, Kentucky and New Jersey. State officials in many of these states are urging residents to stay home and stay off the roads.
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Jim Justice, the governor of West Virginia, another state hit hard by Winter Storm Blair, has declared a state of emergency for all 55 counties.
”Our top priority is safety, and state agencies are pulling the rope together to stay ahead of the challenges we may face,” Justice said.
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Andy Beshear, Kentucky’s governor, said in a press briefing on Monday morning that “the most important thing that people can do today is to stay home, and to stay safe, to let us do as much work as possible, to let us clear as many roads, to let us treat the roads for salt, to let us deal with the 1-3 inches of snow that’s expected throughout the rest of the day, and to let the utility companies restore power to as many people as possible.”
Kentucky is now experiencing one of the worst power outages in the state, with more than 75,000 customers hit, according to poweroutage.us.
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Hundreds of flights cancelled due to storm
Hundreds of flights in Blair’s path have been cancelled. The Weather Channel reports the following airports experiencing cancellations:
Reagan National in Washington DC, 476 flights canceled or delayed.
Baltimore/Washington International, 276 flights canceled or delayed.
Washington Dulles, 220 flights canceled or delayed.
St Louis Lambert International, 216 flights canceled or delayed.
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Four dead as a result of Winter Storm Blair
The severe weather is now responsible for another death. We previously reported 3 people in the US have been killed as a result of Blair, but that number is climbing.
Missouri State Police reported that another person was killed after getting hit by a dump truck sliding on a slick road in Jackson county.
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More bad news for those traveling today, especially to and from Chicago.
A ground stop was issued at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on Monday morning by the Federal Aviation Administration. All flights were grounded until moments ago but a ground delay still remains in effect until 8pm this evening, with delays averaging more than two hours.
There have been 109 flight cancelations at O’Hare this morning.
Texas, which is all too familiar with power outages, now joins the growing list of states experiencing major power outages, with more than 14,000 customers affected. The Lone Star state is unique in that it has its own electrical grid.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, which manage’s Texas’s power supply, issued a Weather Watch through Friday.
The state experienced one of the worst power outages on record during another winter storm in 2021 as a result of the combination of severe weather and failing infrastructure. More than 4m homes and businesses were without electricity.
Hundreds of thousands without power across the US as Winter Storm Blair hits hard
Poweroutage.us reports widespread power outages in six states, including:
Virginia: 109,432 customers
Kentucky: 83,939 customers
West Virginia: 49,177 customers
Illinois: 37,414 customers
Missouri: 33,955 customers
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Three people dead as Winter Storm Blair hits US
Winter Storm Blair, as it is now being called, has already claimed three lives, according to the Weather Channel.
Two people were reportedly killed in a single-vehicle crash in Sedgwick County, Kansas on Sunday evening and a third person was killed as a result of the weather, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol.
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Zoos in affected states have made preparations for the extreme weather in order to protect the vulnerable animals.
The Louisville zoo in Kentucky wrote on X: “The Zoo is CLOSED today, January 5. Some animal, hospital and maintenance team members are preparing to camp out at the Zoo overnight! ❄️”
The Cincinnati zoo has also been closed since yesterday.
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More than 100,000 people in Virginia are now without power as a result of the storm, according to poweroutage.us.
In Kentucky, nearly 90,000 customers are without power and in Indiana, just over 50,000 have lost power.
In West Virginia, 45,000 people are without power and in Illinois, just under 40,000 are experiencing outages.
Major winter storm hits US - what we know so far
A major winter storm is bringing snow, ice, strong winds, and rapidly dropping temperatures across the United States, leading to hazardous travel conditions stretching from the central and southern states to the east coast.
Some areas may experience their heaviest snowfall in a decade, according to warnings from the National Weather Service.
Here is what we know so far this morning.
A state of emergency has been declared in seven states – Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas and parts of New Jersey.
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings from Kansas and Missouri to New Jersey.
The freezing weather is being blamed on disturbances in the polar vortex.
Schools and government offices in several states and areas are closed due to the storm.
Already today, more than 1,000 flights in the US have been canceled.
Snow and ice blanketed major roads across Kansas, western Nebraska and parts of Indiana, where the state’s National Guard was activated to help stranded motorists.
The White House is pressing on with plans for Joe Biden to travel to New Orleans today, despite the snowstorm.
As of 8am ET this morning parts of South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Illinois, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Arkansas, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio and West Virginia are under winter storm warnings.
Winter Weather Advisories are in place for parts of New York, New Jersey, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Virginia, Kentucky, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Vermont, Tennessee, Ohio, Arkansas and Indiana.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported more than 300 crashes, 31 injuries and one fatality as a result of the storm.
Over 90,000 people in Kentucky are currently without power this morning.
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In Virginia, where snow and sleet accumulations of 4 to 9in are expected in some areas, nearly 70,000 people are currently experiencing power outages, according to poweroutage.us.
The National Weather Service reports that parts of Virginia and West Virginia may see snowfall rates exceeding one inch per hour through mid-morning today.
After that, a break is expected from late morning through early afternoon, with occasional light snow, sleet, or freezing drizzle. Later this afternoon and into the evening, a second round of snow is likely.
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Over 90,000 people in Kentucky are currently without power this morning, according to poweroutage.us, as the state remains under winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories.
In some areas of Kentucky, mixed precipitation with additional snow accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations of up to one-tenth of an inch is expected, as well as power outages and tree damage due to the ice.
The National Weather Service in Kentucky warned on Monday morning that “travel could be impossible” and that “the hazardous conditions will affect the Monday morning and evening commutes.”
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The Missouri State Highway Patrol has reported more than 300 crashes, 31 injuries and one fatality as a result of the storm.
In a post on social media, the highway patrol said that they are “working around the clock as the storm continues to impact roadways” and that they are receiving assistance from the Missouri National Guard.
As of 8pm local time on Sunday, the highway patrol had recorded 2,084 calls for service, 1,043 stranded motorists, 356 crashes, 31 injuries, and one fatality.
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Snow is currently falling in the southern parts of New Jersey with the heaviest snowfall expected between 8am and 1pm ET.
The state’s Department of Transportation has urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel and “if you do have to drive, give crews plenty of space to clear the road”.
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Already today, more than 1,000 flights in the US have been canceled, according to FlightAware.com.
Ronald Reagan Airport in Washington DC, has the highest number of cancellations, with 237 flights departing from there canceled so far this morning.
At Baltimore/Washington International Aiport, 109 departing flights have been canceled.
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Winter Weather Advisories are in place for parts of New York, New Jersey, Montana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Virginia, Kentucky, Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, Vermont, Tennessee, Ohio, Arkansas and Indiana.
Winter weather advisories mean that periods of snow, sleet, or freezing rain are expected and will likely cause travel difficulties.
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As of 8am ET this morning parts of South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Illinois, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Arkansas, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio and West Virginia are under winter storm warnings.
Winter Storm Warnings are issued for a significant winter weather event including snow, ice, sleet or blowing snow or a combination of these hazards, according to the National Weather Service.
Travel will become difficult or impossible in some situations, and weather officials advise delaying travel plans until conditions improve.
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The appeals for people to stay inside come amid forecasts of bone-chilling temperatures.
Associated Press reports that the eastern two-thirds of the US will experience dangerous cold and wind chills with forecasters saying temperatures could be well below normal.
In Chicago, temperatures hovered on Sunday as low as -10C and dropped to -11C in International Falls, Minnesota, on the Canadian border.
Over the weekend, at least 600 motorists were stranded in Missouri, authorities said. 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.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who declared a state emergency, said government buildings would be closed today.
“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,” Beshear said.
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Up to 14 inches of snow expected in some areas, forecaster warns
On its website, the National Weather Service warns that “Eight to 14 inches (20cm to 35cm) of snow is forecast from northern Missouri through the Central Appalachians, with six to 12 inches of snow likely across the Mid-Atlantic states including the Washington, DC. metro area.”
Heavy freezing rain will create a swath of damaging ice accumulations from Kansas through the central Appalachians, it adds.
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Biden to go ahead with New Orleans visit despite weather
The White House is pressing on with plans for Joe Biden to travel to New Orleans today, despite the snow storm.
Biden will visit the city where an Army veteran drove a truck into revelers in the French Quarter, killing 14 and injuring 30 more.
It’s likely to be the last time Biden travels to the scene of a horrific crime as president to console families of victims. He has less than two weeks left in office.
The Democratic president will continue on to California following his stop in New Orleans so will be away from Washington DC as Congress moves to certify the 2024 election of Donald Trump
As we said earlier, the freezing weather is being blamed on disturbances in the polar vortex.
Daniel Adamson has more on this, including how the phenomenon has already led to temperatures as low as -40C in northern Canada.
The news wires have put out some pictures showing the snow in Bloomington, Indiana.
School closings are expected to be widespread Monday. Districts in Indiana, Virginia and Kentucky began announcing cancellations and delays on Sunday afternoon. Kentucky’s Jefferson County Public Schools canceled classes, extracurricular activities and athletics for its nearly 100,000 students.
Classes also have been cancelled in Maryland, where Governor Wes Moore announced the state government would be closed on Monday.
“Keeping Marylanders safe is our top priority. Please stay off the roads during this storm. Prepare your home and family and charge your communications devices in case you lose power,” Moore said in a statement.
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Congress to meet amid winter storm to certify 2024 election results
The freezing weather will be felt in Washington DC as Congress plans to meet to certify the election results for President-elect Donald Trump.
A winter storm warning is in force until 0100 EST on Tuesday with heavy snow is expected during the Monday morning commute.
January 6 is the date required by law. But the legacy of events on this day in 2021 hangs over proceedings as the Republican who tried to overturn the previous election is legitimately returning to power.
The tightest national security is in place, a reminder of what happened at the US Capitol four years ago. Then, defeated Trump sent a mob to “fight like hell.” No violence, protests or objections are expected this time, Associated Press reports.
What impact the weather might have is yet to be seen but yesterday Mike Johnson told Fox News: “Whether we’re in a blizzard or not, we are going to be in that chamber making sure this is done.”
The Republican House Speaker helped lead Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
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The polar vortex of ultra-cold air usually spins around the North Pole. People in the US, Europe and Asia experience its intense cold when the vortex escapes and plunges southward, as in the current conditions.
Studies show a fast-warming Arctic is partly to blame for the increasing frequency of the polar vortex extending its icy grip.
Seven states declare emergencies amid warnings snow could be heaviest in a decade
A major winter blast of snow, ice, wind and plunging temperatures in the US created dangerous travel conditions from central and southern states all the way to the East Coast early Monday, amid warnings some areas could face the heaviest snow in a decade.
A state of emergency has been declared in seven states – Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas and parts of New Jersey
Schools and government offices in several areas will be closed on Monday, Associated Press reports.
Snow and ice blanketed major roads across Kansas, western Nebraska and parts of Indiana, where the state’s National Guard was activated to help stranded motorists. At least 20cm of snow was expected, along with gusting winds up to 45 mph (72kph).
The National Weather Service issued winter storm warnings from Kansas and Missouri all the way to New Jersey.
“For locations in this region that receive the highest snow totals, it may be the heaviest snowfall in at least a decade,” the weather service said.
