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More than 60 million people across the United States are under winter weather alerts as Winter Storm Blair unleashes a potent mix of snow, ice, and blizzard conditions, accompanied by wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph. The storm is expected to bring significant travel disruptions, power outages, and potentially historic snowfall to parts of the Central and Eastern U.S.
The storm has already created treacherous conditions in the Central Plains and is moving eastward, impacting states from Kansas to the mid-Atlantic. The NOAA Weather Prediction Center has issued a stark warning, stating, "For some, this could be the heaviest snowfall in over a decade." The Winter Storm Severity Index forecasts major effects, including "considerable disruptions to daily life, dangerous or impossible driving conditions, and widespread closures." The storm's impacts will continue through Monday in many regions.
Winter Storm Blair Overview
Blair began in the Pacific Northwest on Friday, January 3, bringing heavy snow to the Cascades and Sierra before moving east. In Utah, the storm dumped over 20 inches of snow in the Wasatch Front, prompting controlled avalanches.
On January 4, the storm intensified over the Plains, delivering freezing rain and snow across Kansas and Missouri. By January 5, the system advanced into the Ohio Valley, causing travel disruptions and power outages along its path.
Major highways were shut down by snow and ice in multiple states over the weekend. At least four people died in traffic crashes caused by the storm.
More than 2,000 flights into and out of the US were canceled as of Monday afternoon, according to flight data tracker FlightAware. Meanwhile more than 300,000 people from Missouri to Virginia are without power Monday, according to PowerOutage.us.
What to expect of Winter Storm Blair?
The National Weather Service (NWS) has winter storm warnings in effect from the Ohio Valley to the Mid-Atlantic, including cities like Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Philadelphia. Authorities strongly advise avoiding travel until conditions improve.
By Monday night, snowfall will taper off from west to east in the Mid-Atlantic, while several more inches are expected in the Central Appalachians.
How long will Winter Storm Blair last?
A major winter storm can last for several days and be accompanied by high winds, freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall, and cold temperatures.
As of now the snow is expected to taper off by Tuesday morning, although light snowfall may continue during the day over parts of the Central Appalachians.
The Weather Prediction Center warned that nighttime temperatures were expected to fall into the single digits and near zero across the Central Plains and into the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys.
Residents are urged to prepare for power outages, stock up on essential supplies, and avoid unnecessary travel during peak storm hours. Stay tuned to local weather updates for the latest developments on Winter Storm Blair.