Winter storm affecting nearly 80 million leads to multiple crashes and flight cancellations across the Southern U.S.
A major winter storm swept through the Southern United States from Thursday, January 9, 2025, to Saturday, January 11, bringing heavy snows of up to 28 cm (11 inches) to some regions, causing over 1 000 flight cancellations and multiple crashes across the South.
A car travelling on the I-40 after a crash during winter storm. Image credit: Live Storms Media (stillshot)
- A major winter storm swept through much of the southern United States starting Thursday, bringing severe winter weather to nearly 20 states and prompting emergency declarations across multiple states.
- The heaviest snow piled up from eastern Texas into western Tennessee, where over 15 cm (6 inches) accumulated in some areas by midday Friday.
- Multiple crashes were reported in several routes due to the storm.
- More than 1 200 flights were canceled into and out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the nation’s busiest airport.
A major winter storm swept through the southern United States starting Thursday, January 9, bringing severe winter weather to much of the region. The storm prompted winter weather alerts in nearly 20 states, affecting approximately 80 million people from Arkansas to Delaware and north into the Midwest and Great Lakes.
Heavier snow fell to the north, including 8.9 cm (3.5 inches) in Oklahoma City, setting a new snowfall record for the date on Thursday, January 9. It was also the snowiest calendar day in the city since February 3, 2022, when 9.7 cm (3.8 inches) fell.
Significant snow accumulations were reported across the affected regions, with isolated totals of 23 – 28 cm (9 – 11 inches) recorded in some areas.
Knollwood, Texas, recorded 28 cm (11 inches) of snow between Friday and Saturday, January 9 – 10, while Muenster recorded 23 cm (9 inches) in the same period.
In Dallas, 5.6 cm (2.2 inches) of snow accumulation was reported on Thursday, marking the highest snowfall in the city for any calendar day since February 14, 2021.
The heaviest snow piled up from eastern Texas into western Tennessee, where over 15 cm (6 inches) accumulated by midday Friday in some parts. Little Rock, Arkansas, reported 18 cm (7 inches) of snow by Friday morning. The highest accumulation was 36.3 cm (14.3 inches) at Mena, located in west-central Arkansas.
Crashes and travel disruptions due to the storm
Crashes associated with the storm were reported on the I-75 and I-285 in the Atlanta metro area. Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry reported a “significant amount” of spinouts on the roads on Friday.
Heavy snow also reportedly caused multiple crashes on the I-40 near Knoxville, Tennessee.
According to McMurry, state plows were ordered to create drivable lanes, which were subsequently retreated to prevent icing on roads. Despite these precautions, numerous state roads near Atlanta and northern areas were closed due to patches of ice.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ADOT) reported that most roads were covered in snow or slush on Friday. Weather-related traffic accidents were reported statewide, including on Interstates 40, 30, and 555.
More than 1 200 flights were canceled into and out of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the nation’s busiest airport. Nearly 80% of all flights through Atlanta were canceled or delayed due to snow, ice, and extended ground stops, as downtown Atlanta reported 8.9 cm (3.5 inches) of snow amid freezing rain.
Over half the flights at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and Dallas-Fort Worth International experienced delays or cancellations, with at least 330 flights in Charlotte canceled.
Approximately 120 000 power outages were reported across the South, with nearly 100 000 occurring in Georgia alone. Governor Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency for Georgia, while states of emergency were also declared in Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Forecast ahead
The storm system will quickly move away from the East Coast on Saturday morning, January 11, leaving light snow showers in its wake across the central Appalachians and New England.
High pressure and quieter weather will settle east of the Mississippi River through Sunday morning. However, more rain is expected for the central Gulf Coast from Sunday into Monday, January 12 – 13, as low pressure organizes in the Gulf of Mexico, sending anomalous moisture northward.
Temperatures on Saturday will be cold across the southern and southeastern United States, with high temperatures 5 – 11 °C (10 – 20 °F) below average. Below-average temperatures will also affect the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Northeast, while Maine will experience close-to-average temperatures for mid-January.
Some moderation of cold temperatures is expected on Sunday across the South and East, except for New England, which will see near-to-above-average temperatures.
References:
1 Short Range Public Discussion – NWS/WPC – January 11, 2025
2 Winter storm blasts Southeast with snow, dangerous ice as widespread impacts reach 80 million – Fox Weather – January 10, 2025
3 Biggest snowstorm in years shuts down travel across southern US – AccuWeather – January 11, 2025
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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