A catastrophic winter storm, Storm Blair, is battering the United States of America or the US as of now. It has triggered states of emergency across a number of US regions and affected millions with unprecedented weather alerts. The National Weather Service or the NWS reports that this could mark the most significant snowfall in over a decade for certain areas. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about the dreadful storm in the US.
Storm Blair: Emergency Declared In Six States Of The US
Winter Storm Blair Watch Hwy 127 Lawrenceburg Kentucky 01-05-2025 4:30 The snow has stopped and is expected to transition to sleet and ice shortly. Once the ice accumulates we will be watching the power grid for outages. #WinterStormBlair #StayTuned #StaySafe… pic.twitter.com/GhIKkYoUky
— Col. Joseph Ray Bolin (@RealJosephBolin) January 5, 2025
According to an article that was recently published by The Indian Express or the IE, the storm’s reach extends across 30 US states. It stretches from Kansas to the Eastern Seaboard. Areas such as Ohio and Washington DC are bracing for substantial snowfall.
It may range from 15 to 30 centimetres. Upstate New York has already recorded accumulations exceeding one metre. Meteorologist Dan DePodwin, cited in the IE article, suggests this January could be the coldest since 2011.
Winter Storm #Blair #Louisville #Kentucky #USA pic.twitter.com/42YalLSUrN
— Coleman Coffey (19🏴+6🇪🇺=🏆) (@coffeycoly) January 5, 2025
Temperatures could plummet seven to 14°C below seasonal norms for an extended period. The severity of the situation has compelled six states to declare an emergency. These are Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri.
1,500 Flights Cancelled And Thousands More Delayed
Winter storm/Blizzard “Blair” – 2
Kansas City (and the highways)-0 pic.twitter.com/WTIngi7yQ7— Veronica (@V0Queen) January 6, 2025
Even Florida, traditionally known for its balmy climate, faces the prospect of temperatures dropping below freezing. The transport network has been severely disrupted, with approximately 1,500 flights cancelled and thousands more delayed.
Consider yerself lucky! This is what I have been dealing with and yet another Big Storm (Blair) to come tomorrow! It’s pawful! All that blurry white is heavy snowfall! pic.twitter.com/iI78sNBwp7
— Jackie Cramer (@diamondsnjeans) January 5, 2025
Amtrak has suspended several rail services, whilst major airlines have implemented fee waivers for affected travellers. The extreme weather has extended into Canada, where much of the nation faces severe weather warnings.
Manitoba is experiencing particularly harsh conditions, with wind chill factors pushing temperatures to -40°C. Ontario, meanwhile, anticipates up to 38 centimetres of snow. Hazardous driving conditions have led to numerous incidents, including a dramatic fire engine accident in Kansas.
The NWS has issued warnings about “whiteout conditions” that could render roads impassable. Adding to the complexity of this weather system, southern states including Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama face the threat of severe thunderstorms and potential tornadoes.
Do you or someone you know live in an area affected by Storm Blair? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: @V0Queen and @diamondsnjeans/X (Formerly, Twitter)
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First Published: January 06, 2025 10:50 AM