At least 6 dead, more than 300 000 without power as major winter storm sweeps through U.S.
At least 6 people have been reported dead after a record-breaking winter storm swept through much of the United States from January 3 – 6, 2025, bringing record snow and causing severe travel disruptions with over 9 000 flights being delayed or canceled and hundreds of crashes reported across multiple states.
A crash in Missouri during the winter storm. Image credit: Image credit: MSHP General HQ
- At least 6 people have been reported dead during a strong winter storm that swept through much of the U.S. since January 3, causing hundreds of crashes.
- Record snowfall was recorded in several areas such as Kansas City which broke its snow record set in 1962 on Sunday, January 5, after recording 27.9 cm (11 inches) of snow.
- Emergencies were declared for Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
At least six deaths have been attributed to the first major winter storm that swept through much of the United States from January 3 to 6, bringing record snowfall to several regions.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) reported two fatalities. A 33-year-old individual died after exiting their vehicle on Interstate 29 in Mount City. The vehicle began to slide, striking the 33-year-old victim from Nebraska.
A 61-year-old public works employee was reported dead after being struck while conducting snow removal operations in Jackson County.
Two people died in Kansas following a crash near Wichita when their southbound vehicle spun out of control on I-235 and rolled down an embankment on Sunday, January 5.
In a separate incident, a 28-year-old man died in Ford County after his vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer that had swerved due to icy conditions.
A juvenile was reported dead, and another sustained life-threatening injuries, following a snow tube crash in Macon County. Officials stated that a man driving an ATV was towing two boys on an inner tube in snowy conditions when the tube slid out during a turn and struck a large boulder.
The MSHP reported responding to 436 crashes, 38 injuries, 1 788 stranded motorists, and 3 134 calls for service. Meanwhile, Virginia State Police reported 430 crashes that resulted in 20 injuries.
A snow emergency was declared in Washington, D.C., through at least the end of Tuesday, January 7. Maryland was also placed under a state of emergency ahead of the storm. Schools were closed on Monday, January 6, and Tuesday, January 7.
Several states recorded historic snowfall. Topeka, Kansas, experienced 36.8 cm (14.5 inches) of snow, while Kansas City reported 27.9 cm (11 inches), breaking a record set in 1962.
Louisville, Kentucky, recorded 19.6 cm (7.7 inches), surpassing a 1910 record. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport reported 20.3 cm (8 inches) of snow, causing similar disruptions.
By the time the storm ended on Monday night, parts of Philadelphia received 30.5 cm (1 foot) of snow, while some regions got a little over 2.5 cm (1 inch).
Georgetown in Delaware recorded 30.5 cm (12 inches) of snow, Rehoboth Beach reported 25.4 cm (10 inches), and Houston recorded 22.4 cm (8.8 inches). Meanwhile, the Lehigh Valley Airport received 3 cm (1.2 inches).
Temperatures plunged nationwide, with forecasters warning lows of −11 to −4 °C (12 to 25 °F) below normal. Coastal areas in the Northeast recorded temperatures as low as -17 to -15 °C (1 to 5 °F), while the Central Plains experienced similarly frigid conditions.
The cold weather caused significant travel disruptions, with over 9 000 flights canceled or delayed across states from Texas to New York. Airports in the Washington, D.C., area were the worst affected, with 80% of departures from National Airport canceled. Runways were closed for snow removal, though terminals remained open. Runways were expected to remain closed until Tuesday morning.
More than 300 000 people experienced power outages across Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, and West Virginia due to the storm.
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References:
1 Winter storm: Polar Vortex freezes much of US; 9,000 flights disrupted – TOI – January 7, 2024
2 Death toll climbs as winter storm dumps heavy snow, ice on mid-Atlantic, including Washington and Philadelphia – Fox Weather – January 6, 2024
3 Tuesday will be windy, chilly after snowstorm hit Philadelphia region. Here’s the weather forecast. – CBS – January 6, 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.
“By the time the storm ended on Monday night, parts of Philadelphia received 30.5 cm (1 foot) of snow, while some regions got a little over 2.5 cm (1 inch)”
Are you talking PHILLY PA? That snow total is not true. Can you site a source? I live in Philly, and we did NOT get a foot of snow. More like under 2 inches. Was there some rogue place in the city that got a foot?