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. The system was unofficially nicknamed Winter Storm Blair by The Weather Channel.[3][4]
Beginning on January 3, 2025, the system first made landfall along the northern West Coast of the United States before tracking southeastward, bringing severe winter conditions to multiple regions and prompting numerous state emergency declarations. The storm system also produced 2025's first tornado, which touched down in northern California.[5][6]
Meteorological history
On January 2, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a forecast that warned of an approaching major winter storm expected to impact several regions of the continental United States, describing it as a "brutal mess". The NWS forecast outlined expectations for heavy snowfall and significant icing across several geographical regions, ranging from the central Great Plains to the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, before reaching the Mid-Atlantic region. The forecast predicted 60-90 percent chance of accumulations reaching at least 6 in (15 cm) in the central Great Plains and central Mississippi Valley regions, and a significant icing event primarily impacting eastern Kansas through the Ozarks before impacting the lower Ohio and Tennessee Valleys and the southern Appalachians.[7] The system itself originated in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, and first made landfall during the afternoon on January 3 along the West Coast of the United States.[8]
By January 4, a low-pressure system organized over the Texas Panhandle region and Oklahoma. This system interacted with below-average temperatures already established across the Central Plains and Midwest. A "potent" mid-level low was forecast to track from Kansas to Virginia and North Carolina over a 48-hour period. The system's warm side was predicted to generate severe thunderstorm conditions across the Lower Mississippi Valley, causing the Storm Prediction Center to issue an Enhanced Risk (level 3 of 5) from northeastern Louisiana into western Mississippi for January 5, with potential for tornadoes, large hail, and damaging straight-line winds.[9]
Winter storm advisories issued by the 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.[10]
On 4 January, Governor of KentuckyAndy Beshear issued a state of emergency in anticipation of dangerous road conditions, widespread power outages, and sustained freezing temperatures.[14] The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet issued warnings for residents to avoid road travel due to projected hazardous conditions brought on by freezing rain and icing.[15] The Christian Wayside Mission and the Salvation Army in Louisville opened warming shelters for the homeless.[16]
Following snow warnings of 6–12 in (15–30 cm), Jacksonville and South Jacksonville, IL, issued snow emergencies, and emphasized that vehicles parked on emergency snow routes would be towed.[18]
Multiple Maryland school districts issued schedule changes for students in order to avoid severe weather.[13][20]Governor of MarylandWes Moore issued a State of Preparedness extending from 5–6 January.[21] Schools in Philadelphia closed on January 6 due to the snow.[22]
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.[26]
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.[5][6] 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.[6]
Travel advisories were issued in Montana due to heavy snowfall in mountainous areas in conjunction with strong wind gusts.[26] Nearly all regions of Montana were impacted by heavy snowfall, with cold weather advisories issued across northeast Montana.[27][28]
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.[29] Freezing rain fell in Kansas and Missouri, which led to road icing and several traffic accidents, including a vehicle rollover on U.S. Route 54 in Wichita and several more near Salina.[30][31]Governor of KansasLaura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency amid the storm's precipitation causing several traffic collisions and road closures.[32]
On 5 January, a woman was found deceased in Kansas City after being reported missing the prior day as severe winter weather impacted the region.[36] 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 U.S. Route 56.[37]
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.[38]
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.[39] On 6 January, half of Magoffin County customers were without power due to downed power lines.[38]
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.[38]Baltimore received 6.6 in (17 cm) of snow, which was the biggest snowfall there in three years.[40]
Virginia State Police reported 248 crashes requiring their response, noting that not all accidents were necessarily related to the winter storm.[38]Reagan National Airport shut down their runways late on January 6 due to the snowfall.[41]
A tornado was spotted in southeast Lincoln County as it damaged trees, roofs, and a chicken house.[54] An official survey has not yet occurred and as such a rating it has not received an official rating.
This tornado began southeast of Marion and moved northeast, snapping numerous tree branches and tree trunks. A trailer was obliterated and the associated debris was blown across a road. Extensive vehicle damage was also noted in this area. The tornado continued to move northeast, damaging the roofs and carports of several homes. The tornado then reached its peak intensity as it swept away a shop building at high-end EF2 intensity. The tornado then damaged some sheds and the roof of another home before lifting in the Upper Ouachita Wildlife Refuge.[52]
A high-end EF1 tornado briefly touched in rural West Carroll Parish, snapping trees, causing minor roof damage, and shifting a mobile home with no injuries.[52]
This tornado touched down briefly, tracking a short distance and causing minor damage as it uprooted and snapped trees and caused great roof and garage damage to a house.[52]
A high-end EF1 tornado uprooted and snapped many trees, downed some power lines, and damaged chicken houses and roofs in the Pelahatchie area. This tornado prompted a PDS warning[55] and caused an indirect injury when a train ran into a downed tree.[56][52]
This tornado snapped many trees and damaged the roofs of seveal buildings. Extensive damage to a gas station in Boon was observed as well. It ended just northeast of MS 14.[52]
A weak tornado touched down in northern Lawrence County, causing minor damage to weak trees and roofs before dissipating just over the Simpson County line.[52]
This high-end EF1 tornado passed through the small community of Gwinville, damaging trees and buildings along its path. It damaged an abandoned building, shifted an old gas station off its foundation, and uplifted porches of homes. It dissipated just over the Simpson County line near Highway 13.[52]