Major winter storm to impact U.S. through the first weekend of 2025
Millions across the central and eastern U.S. are bracing for a major winter storm expected to dump heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, with dangerous travel conditions and power outages anticipated through the first weekend of 2025.
Image credit: Tropical Tidbits
- The storm will affect regions from the northern Plains to the mid-Atlantic, bringing snow, ice, and freezing rain from Friday, January 3 to Monday, January 6.
- Heavy snow exceeding 10 cm (4 inches), ice accumulations over one-tenth of an inch, and strong winds up to 55 km/h (35 mph) may lead to blizzard-like conditions and hazardous travel.
A major winter storm is expected to bring severe winter weather across the central and eastern United States through the first weekend of 2025, with snow, freezing rain, and thunderstorms anticipated in many areas.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), confidence continues to grow regarding a significant winter storm expected from Saturday afternoon through Sunday night, January 4 – 5, bringing a mix of freezing drizzle, freezing rain, sleet, and snow.
The storm is forecast to begin affecting the northern Plains on Friday, January 3, before moving toward the Central Plains, Ohio Valley, Tennessee Valley, and Mid-Atlantic. The system is expected to produce heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain across these regions.
Winter storm watches have been issued for parts of Kansas over the weekend, with the NWS forecasting accumulations of ice, sleet, and snow from Saturday afternoon through Sunday. “Strong winds late Sunday could cause blowing and drifting snow as the storm comes to an end. Extreme cold then settles in early next week,” the NWS stated.
Snow and sleet accumulations exceeding 10 cm (4 inches) are possible, with ice accumulations likely surpassing one-tenth of an inch. Winds may gust up to 56 km/h (35 mph), potentially causing blowing and drifting snow and occasional blizzard-like conditions in the regions under the watch.
The heaviest snowfall is expected across the central Plains and Mississippi Valley, particularly north of the I-70 corridor. The heavy snow may lead to travel disruptions and power outages in the region.
A significant ice storm is also anticipated in the mid-South, stretching from southern Kansas and the Ozarks eastward to the Tennessee Valley. Sleet and freezing rain may accumulate on trees and power lines, resulting in widespread power outages and hazardous travel conditions.
Beginning Sunday, January 5, weather conditions are forecast to change significantly as the storm moves into the central United States. Areas in the central Plains and lower Ohio Valley are expected to experience a combination of snow and ice, while the remainder of the Ohio Valley, mid-South, Central Appalachians, and possibly the mid-Atlantic will face impacts on Sunday night.
The storm is forecast to weaken on Monday, January 6, as it crosses the Appalachians, though wintry weather is still anticipated across the mid-Atlantic and potentially as far south as the Carolinas.
The Weather Channel named this system Winter Storm Blair.
References:
1 Hazardous Weather Outlook – NWS Topeka – January 2, 2024
2 Hazardous Weather Outlook – NWS Wichita – January 2, 2024
3 Major winter storm to bring heavy snow, hazardous ice from central Plains to mid-Atlantic this weekend – Fox Weather – January 1, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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