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January 5–6, 2025 United States blizzard
North American winter storm in 2025 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The January 5–6, 2025 United States blizzard was a significant and expansive winter weather event that produced blizzard conditions across the High Plains,[2] as well as a long swath of accumulating snow and ice storm to the eastern half of the United States in early January 2025. Beginning on January 3, the system first made landfall along the northern West Coast of the United States before tracking southeastward, bringing severe winter conditions to multiple regions all the way to the Mid-Atlantic states and prompting numerous state emergency declarations. The storm system also produced 2025's first tornado, which touched down in northern California,[3][4] before producing several more tornadoes within the Deep South a few days later on January 5. Most impacts from the storm ended by January 6 after the winter storm moved offshore into the Atlantic Ocean. The system was unofficially nicknamed Winter Storm Blair by the Weather Channel.[5][6]
Winter storm advisories issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) throughout January 3 extended approximately 1,500 mi (2,400 km) from western Kansas to West Virginia, marking one of the most extensive winter weather warning areas in the 2024–25 North American winter season up to the beginning of 2025.[7] Approximately 365,000 people were estimated to have lost power as a result of the blizzard, and the city of Richmond, Virginia, experienced a water outage and ensuing crisis due to damage sustained to water distribution facilities from the storm. The winter storm was also deadly, as at least 10 people were confirmed to have been killed as a result.
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Meteorological history
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Blizzard
A vigorous upper-level trough crossed the West Coast on January 3, initiating a dynamic pattern that led to a significant winter storm across the contiguous U.S. The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) tracked the disturbance as it moved southeastward through the Rockies, where lee cyclogenesis near the Texas–New Mexico border produced a rapidly deepening surface low by January 4–5. Simultaneously, strong mid-level jet flow—clocking around 60 kn (69 mph)–60 kn (69 mph) at 500 mb—promoted large-scale ascent and supported wet-bulb advection into the High Plains, triggering widespread snowfall and ice. Arctic cold air dammed southward behind the system, aiding in snow‐ and ice‐producing frontal structure and enhancing white‑out and blizzard formation from Kansas into the Mid‑Atlantic by January 6.[8][9]
By January 4–5, surface analyses depicted a classic baroclinic zone: a well-defined warm front north across the Midwest and a pronounced cold front trailing southwest behind the low, intersecting a deepening dry‑cold wedge. Moist air feeding northward from the Gulf of Mexico fueled heavy snow and freezing rain across the Plains and Ohio Valley. In areas such as Kansas, Missouri, and Indiana, snowfall exceeded 6 in (15 cm)–12 in (30 cm), with some parts of the Midwest receiving over a foot of snow. Significant ice accumulations, from 0.25 in (0.64 cm) to 0.75 in (1.9 cm), were observed in southern Illinois, southern Missouri, and northern Kentucky, resulting in widespread power disruptions and hazardous travel conditions.[9][10]
The storm reached peak severity on January 5, when blizzard conditions—defined by wind gusts over 35 mph (56 km/h), blowing snow, and visibility under a quarter-mile—were reported across the High Plains. The tight pressure gradient around the strengthening cyclone, along with a robust low-level jet, drove wind gusts exceeding 50 mph (80 km/h), especially across Kansas and Nebraska. By January 6, the system had progressed into the Mid‑Atlantic, tapering off by evening as snowfall transitioned to sleet or rain in the eastern sectors. The storm caused widespread travel disruption—cancelling over 1,300 flights and leading to hundreds of thousands of power outages across multiple states. Ten fatalities and significant economic impacts were reported.[11][12][13]
Tornado Outbreak
As the expansive winter storm moved east across the southern U.S., it triggered a corridor of severe thunderstorms ahead of and along its southern frontal boundary. On January 5, entrenched Arctic air to the north and persistent Gulf moisture to the south produced a sharp frontal gradient across the Deep South, including Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama—regions classified under a Level 3 (Enhanced) severe weather threat by the Storm Prediction Center that day, with expectations for wind damage and a few tornadoes possible despite overall marginal instability.[12]
Although thermodynamic energy was modest, strong low-level wind shear associated with the advancing cold front—with an increasingly veering low-level jet during the afternoon—supported rotating updrafts in an otherwise cool environment. Converging Gulf moisture and frontal lifting generated embedded thunderstorms capable of brief tornadoes. These storms were most concentrated over northern Louisiana and western Mississippi, where mesoanalysis highlighted marginal CAM-supported discrete cells and line segments capable of producing damaging winds and occasional tornadoes.[14]
The primary tornado activity occurred during the evening hours of January 5, predominantly as isolated EF0–EF2 tornadoes, scattered across areas such as southern Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and northeastern Louisiana—coincident with the cold front’s southward trajectory. The environment favored gust fronts and broken-line mode with embedded circulations rather than classic supercell structures, and no tornado outbreak in terms of numerous or long-track tornadoes was observed. Forecast discussions emphasized the threat as focused and transient: a brief period of enhanced tornado risk embedded within a broader winter storm context, with damaging wind the more widespread hazard.[15]
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Preparations
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Major U.S. airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, implemented fee waivers for flight changes during the event.[7]
Great Plains
Starting on January 4th, the National Weather Service offices in Wichita, Topeka, Omaha/Valley, and Kansas City/Pleasant Hill issued blizzard warnings forecasting 6 in (15 cm)–12 in (30 cm) of snow, wind gusts over 40 mph (64 km/h), and periods of near-zero visibility. In Wichita and Topeka, city emergency managers activated warming shelters, staged emergency vehicles, and coordinated with utility companies for potential power outages.[16] In the Kansas City metro, local governments on both sides of the state line declared snow emergencies, pre-positioned plow fleets, and enforced parking restrictions on snow emergency routes to facilitate clearing operations.[17] In St. Joseph, city public works deployed salt trucks and prepared to close steep roads, while MoDOT closed portions of I‑29 and warned against non-essential travel.[18] The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) pre-treated highways in the southeast portion of the state and staged plows along I‑80 in advance of the storm.[19]
Midwest & Ohio River Valley
In the Midwest and Ohio Valley, which was under winter storm and ice storm warnings, preparations focused on the forecast for heavy snow north of the I‑70 corridor and significant icing to the south. In Columbia and St. Louis, city officials declared snow emergencies, MoDOT pre-treated bridges (especially Mississippi River crossings), and snowplows were staged in advance of the storm.[20] In Springfield and Champaign, IDOT coordinated salt and plow operations along I‑55 and I‑72, while local governments opened warming shelters for vulnerable residents.[21] Following snow warnings of 6 in (15 cm)–12 in (30 cm), Jacksonville and South Jacksonville, IL, issued snow emergencies, and emphasized that vehicles parked on emergency snow routes would be towed.[22] In Terre Haute, Bloomington, and Indianapolis, INDOT pre-treated interstate corridors (I‑70, I‑65, I‑74) and city emergency management activated warming centers and coordinated response crews.[23]
On 4 January, Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear issued a state of emergency in anticipation of dangerous road conditions, widespread power outages, and sustained freezing temperatures.[24] In Louisvillle and Lexington, local governments canceled schools, KYTC staged crews along I‑64 and I‑75, and LG&E prepared for potential power outages due to ice accretion on power lines.[25] The Christian Wayside Mission and the Salvation Army in Louisville opened warming shelters for the homeless.[26] In Cincinnati and Dayton, city agencies coordinated with ODOT to salt bridges, deploy plows, and activate snow emergency parking restrictions, while Duke Energy and DP&L staged line crews in case of outages.[27]
Central Appalachians & Mid-Atlantic
In the Mid-Atlantic and central Appalachians, winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories were issued for areas expecting 4 in (10 cm)–8 in (20 cm) of snow and ice accumulations up to 0.5 in (1.3 cm). On 5 January, Governor of West Virginia Jim Justice issued a state of emergency in all 55 counties of the state.[28] In West Virginia, state and local agencies prepared for hazardous mountain travel; Charleston and Huntington opened warming centers, while the WVDOT treated I‑64, I‑77, and I‑79 in anticipation of slick conditions.[29] On January 3rd, Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin issued a state of emergency for the entirety of the state.[30] In Virginia, VDOT staged plow crews along I‑81 and mountain passes, and Richmond, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg city officials opened shelters and warned residents of potential power outages from ice.[31]
In the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area, both MDOT and DDOT pre-treated major commuter routes, including I‑95, I‑695, and US 50, while local jurisdictions announced snow emergency parking restrictions to keep plow routes clear.[32] Multiple Maryland school districts issued schedule changes for students in order to avoid the winter weather.[33][34] Governor of Maryland Wes Moore issued a State of Preparedness extending from 5–6 January.[35] In Philadelphia and Wilmington, PennDOT and DelDOT applied brine to highways and bridges, focused especially on river crossings, and warned of treacherous travel conditions due to the potential for mixed precipitation and icing.[36] Schools in Philadelphia closed on January 6 due to the snow.[37]
Red River Valley & Northwoods
In the Red River Valley and adjacent Northwoods area, including northeastern North Dakota and northern Minnesota, authorities issued cold weather advisories ahead of the early January cold wave that followed the storm system. These advisories warned residents of wind chills dropping to −40 °F (−40 °C) or lower, particularly overnight where sparse snow cover exacerbated the chill. Local emergency management and tribal health departments coordinated opening warming shelters in rural communities and towns like Grand Forks and Bemidji, and issued guidance to check on vulnerable populations, including the elderly and those without heat. Utility companies in the region also advised on preventing frozen pipes and vehicle breakdowns due to the extreme temperatures. These preparations were precautionary in nature, as the region was not under heavy snow or blizzard warning products, but was instead bracing for record arctic cold in the aftermath of the storm system.[38][39]
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Impact
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West
After making landfall along the northern West Coast of the continental United States, valley areas in Eastern Washington experienced freezing rain during the afternoon and evening of 3 January, while widespread snowfall accumulated in mountainous regions across Washington and Montana.[41]
In Northern California, the winter storm system produced a tornado near Paynes Creek and Shingletown, which FOX Weather reported was the first United States tornado in 2025.[3][4] The tornado was confirmed by the National Weather Service's Sacramento office at approximately 5:30 pm PST who issued a tornado warning for Shasta and Tehama counties, and was captured on video by a University of California, San Diego camera. The tornado resulted in no reported damage or injuries. The winter storm also brought heavy snow and strong winds to the northern California region, and produced quarter-size hail at higher elevations.[4]
Travel advisories were issued in Montana due to heavy snowfall in mountainous areas in conjunction with strong wind gusts.[41] Nearly all regions of Montana were impacted by heavy snowfall, with cold weather advisories issued across northeast Montana.[42][43]
High Plains
On 4 January, Utah was impacted by a "potent but quick moving cold front" that brought snowfall and 50 mph wind gusts in the Wasatch Front region, leading to travel advisories along several international and state highways in central and northern Utah.[44] Freezing rain fell in Kansas and Missouri, which led to thick road icing and several dozen traffic accidents. In Kansas, a vehicle rollover occurred on US-54 in Wichita, while several more accidents occurred near Salina.[45][46] Governor of Kansas Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency amid the storm's precipitation causing several traffic collisions and road closures with most major highways and interstates in the Kansas City area being closed for the 48 hours surrounding the storm.[47]
During the afternoon, the Kansas City Chiefs were delayed a few hours from departing the Kansas City International Airport due to airport closure by NOTAM, as a result of the winter storm producing freezing drizzle on the airfield.[48] This came before their game against the Denver Broncos the next day.[49][50]
On 5 January, a woman was found dead in Kansas City after being reported missing the prior day as severe winter weather impacted the region.[51] The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that one person was killed and another injured due to road icing, after their vehicle collided with a jackknifed trailer while driving eastbound on US-56.[52]
Midwest
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport received eight inches of snowfall— a record amount— leading to dozens of cancelled flights.[53]
On 6 January, the Indiana State Police stated that they received reports of 259 vehicle collisions and reports of 271 vehicles that had slid off roadways. The Indianapolis District state police reported that 151 crashes were reported— of which 12 resulted in injuries— and that they had to respond to 100 disabled or stuck vehicles.[53]
At 6:30 PM EST on 5 January, readings from PowerOutage.us indicated that 41,284 customers were suffering from power outages, with the most present in Warren and Henderson County.[54] On 6 January, half of Magoffin County customers were without power due to downed power lines.[53]
East Coast
On 6 January, the Maryland State Police reported that they had received 475 service calls between 1 AM EST to midday, which included 156 unattended vehicles and 123 crashes.[53] Baltimore received 6.6 in (17 cm) of snow, which was the biggest snowfall there in three years.[55]
Virginia State Police reported 248 crashes requiring their response, noting that not all accidents were necessarily related to the winter storm.[53] Reagan National Airport shut down their runways late on January 6 due to the snowfall.[56]
On both 6 and 7 January, the United States Office of Personnel Management closed federal offices in the Washington DC area and put maximum telework for employees in effect.[57]
Across the Delaware Valley, accumulations were heaviest across the southern parts of the region, with only 1.8 in (4.6 cm) of snow in Philadelphia.[58] At Philadelphia International Airport, over 380 flights were delayed, and 80 were cancelled.[59] In the Atlantic City area, and along the Jersey Shore, however, up to 7 inches of snow were recorded.[60]
Richmond water outage
Because of the storm, power was lost in Richmond, Virginia's water plant. This led to a loss of software control, which itself led to flooding, which caused damage to valuable electrical equipment. Other localities in the region struggled to maintain water service to their residents via their own plants, because the plant was by far the largest producer of water in the region. Losses of water pressure were experienced across the region, at times enough to cause a complete loss of water pressure but at other times only enough to trigger boil-water advisories. All told, the water crisis lasted from January 6 to January 11, when the region's water was declared to be clean.
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Confirmed tornadoes
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The winter storm also brought severe weather across the country, primarily in the Southeast with 14 tornadoes confirmed.
January 3 event
January 5 event
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See also
Notes
- All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.
References
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