17 photos show Winter Storm Blair's arctic assault on US as death toll rises and states declare emergency
Winter Storm Blair has officially arrived and started covering the East Coast and Great Plains region of the US with several inches of snow and ice.
Winter Storm Blair has officially arrived, blanketing the the East Coast and Great Plains region with several inches of snow and ice, plunging temperatures below freezing, and leaving four dead in its wake.
In addition to the frigid temperatures, many states within the U.S. have declared a state of emergency. These include Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Arkansas and parts of New Jersey. It was reported that Washington D.C. is set to receive a deluge of 16 inches of snow as lawmakers set to verify the results of the 2024 presidential election on Monday.
The weather has also played havoc with air travel leaving thousands of people stranded. It was reported on Monday that the winter storm has canceled 1,343 flights. It was reported that the storm was predicted by several meteorologists to be worse than originally thought.
- Winter Storm Blair travel chaos as 16 inches of snow falls in Washington D.C. halting air travel
Winter Storm Blair 2025 LIVE: At least 4 people dead as snow, chilly weather hits US
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s Winter Storm Severity Index and other weather authorities are warning, per CNN, of the possibility of "considerable disruptions to daily life," including "dangerous or impossible driving conditions and widespread closures" starting on Sunday in the central US.
In the past, winter weather has been largely restricted to northern states, but this storm is expected to sweep more southbound, dumping snow on areas not well-equipped to handle it. Farther south, where it's yet too warm for snow to fall without melting, thunderstorms are expected to form and dump several inches of rain or possibly hail.
There is an added danger as well. Precipitation that does fall could freeze in many areas, creating sheets of ice that could prove fatal for drivers or even individuals walking outside. Some regions of the South in particular are still recovering from the devastating impacts of storms in December 2024, and these storms could create more mayhem and damage to those regions.
It has since been reported that four people have died as a result of the storm. Two individuals perished in a single-vehicle crash in Sedgwick County, Kansas, on Sunday evening, the Guardian reported, and a third person died as a result of the weather in Missouri.
The fourth death was reportedly the result of a collision between a dump truck and the victim's vehicle on a slick road in Missouri, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
1 of 17 Crews clean the Capitol
Crews work diligently to clean the steps of the U.S. Capital building as Winter Storm Blair slams into the country.
(Image:Getty Images)2 of 17 Nne homeowner takes care of his property
Carl Rich uses a snowblower to clear his driveway during a winter storm, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Cincinnati
(Image:AP)3 of 17 A snow truck
The Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building is visible as a snow plow drives through a winter storm in the nation's capital
(Image:Getty Images)4 of 17 Cars covered in snow
In the past, winter weather has been largely restricted to northern states, but this storm is expected to sweep more southbound, dumping snow on areas not well-equipped to handle it.
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)5 of 17 woman walking her dog in the snow
Winter Storm Blair has officially sunk its frigid claws into the U.S. plummeting temps all over the country.
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)
6 of 17 A person holds an umbrella
A person holds an umbrella as they walk during a winter storm
(Image:AP)7 of 17 Man running in the snow
A man runs along the National Mall as snow falls during a winter storm in Washington, DC on January 6, 2025 as they are set to get almost 16 inches of snow.
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)8 of 17 The White House in the snow
Workers remove snow from a sidewalk at the White House in Washington, DC on January 6, 2025. Dangerous wintry conditions are affecting a large swath of the central and eastern United States
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)9 of 17 electric scooters
Precipitation that does fall could freeze in many areas, creating sheets of ice that could prove fatal for drivers or even individuals walking outside.
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)
10 of 17 Capital Hill in the snow
The historic snowfall comes as lawmakers are set to meet on Capital Hill to ratify the results of the 2024 election.
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)11 of 17 Kansas parks abandoned
Several residents of Kansas have fled indoors as the winter storm has dropped several inches of snow on them
(Image:Getty Images)12 of 17 A person walking in the snow
A pedestrian crosses the street as snow falls during a winter storm
(Image:AFP via Getty Images)13 of 17 People having a snowball fight
Despite all the dire warnings and safety advice, the snow allows kids to get outside and have fun on a day off from school
(Image:AP)
14 of 17 An Ohio resident shovels snow
Tom Fleischman shovels snow in Cincinnati before dawn
(Image:AP)15 of 17 People wait as crews clean up the snow
Experts warn that the storm could play havoc on electrical circuits as well and that it would take time for crews to come out due to the heavy snowfall
(Image:Getty Images)16 of 17 Clean up crew
Some regions of the South in particular are still recovering from the devastating impacts of storms in December 2024, and these storms could create more mayhem and damage to those regions.
(Image:Getty Images)17 of 17 A woman crossing the street
According to forcasters, much of the precipitation-related dangers from the storms could pass by Monday, but then, by Tuesday, the bitter Arctic cold could hit
(Image:Getty Images)