- Sections of I-70, I64 and I75 were closed Sunday due to crashes in snow and ice.
- Hundreds of flights were canceled at airports in Kansas City and St. Louis.
- Tens of thousands of power outages were reported across Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana.
Snow and ice are leaving roads a slippery, dangerous mess across parts of the Midwest including Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky as a winter storm roars east.
As one Kansas state trooper put it: “We are in it now.”
The trooper was referring to the scene as ice shut down lengthy stretches of Interstate 70 in the state and triggered wrecks all along the way. It was just the beginning of a major winter storm’s impact on tens of millions from the Plains and Midwest to the mid-Atlantic.
At least 60 million people are under winter weather alerts. They’re facing not just ice, but heavy snow and freezing rain that could cause widespread power outages in bitterly cold temperatures.
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The system was named Winter Storm Blair by The Weather Channel. See our full forecast here, and get the latest news below:
(7:33 p.m. ET) Storm Reaches Eastern U.S.
From weather.com digital meteorologist Jonathan Belles:
Winter Storm Blair is now entering the eastern half of the country after pummeling the mountains in the West and picking up blizzard conditions in the Plains. The most interruptive snow so far has occurred in Kansas and Missouri, although parts of the Sierra, Wasatch and Rockies have all seen more than a foot of snow so far. Ice has also been widespread from Kansas to southern Illinois. A line of strong storms continues to march through the South with gusty winds.
(7:13 p.m. ET) State Of Emergency In South Jersey
As this storm moves east, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency for seven counties. They are:
Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem.
The emergency goes into effect at 10 p.m. tonight.
(7:03 p.m. ET) Pileup Shuts Down Part Of Interstate 70
State police are on the scene of a multi-vehicle crash in eastern Illinois. The incident happened near the town of Greenup, about halfway between St. Louis and Indianapolis.
Police said several vehicles are involved, and eastbound lanes of the road could be closed for several hours.
There was no immediate word on whether anyone was injured.
Trucks and vehicles crashed and slid off the road in a pileup that shut down part of Interstate 70 in eastern Illinois on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
(Live Storms Media)
(6:34 p.m. ET) Hundreds Of Flights Delayed Or Canceled
Here’s how airport delays and cancellations are stacking up in the storm’s path, according to airline tracker FlightAware.com. Among the worst right now are Kansas City International Airport – where 94% of all departures are canceled, and 90% of arrivals canceled – and St. Louis Lambert International – where 65% of departures and 64% of arrivals are canceled.
Combined, that equals nearly 600 flight cancellations.
(6:22 p.m. ET) Cantore: ‘It’s Not Going To End Well’
The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore is on the ground in Kansas City.
“We’ve got a long way to go here in town with these roads,” Cantore said in a live video. “A long way to go.”
He echoed the advice from local officials asking people to stay off the roads.
“Unless you come out here, unless you have a 4-wheel drive, and you know how to drive in this stuff, it’s not going to end well.”
See Cantore’s live shot here.
(6:01 p.m. ET) What Are ‘Blizzard Conditions?’
The National Weather Service defines a blizzard as a storm with any amount of snow, but with winds at least 35 mph and visibility less than a quarter of a mile for at least three hours.
These are some areas that saw those conditions today:
-Topeka, Kansas
-Gardner, Kansas
-Salina, Kansas
-Dodge City, Kansas
-Russell, Kansas
-St. Joseph, Missouri
(5:08 p.m. ET) Road Crews Struggle To Keep Up
From The Associated Press: In Indiana, snow fully covered portions of Interstate 64, Interstate 69 and U.S. Route 41, prompting Indiana State Police to plead with motorists to stay off the roads as plows worked to keep up with the pace of the precipitation.
“It’s snowing so hard, the snow plows go through and then within a half hour the roadways are completely covered again,” Sgt. Todd Ringle said.
(4:16 p.m. ET) Trooper Hit On Slippery Road
A state trooper was injured when he was hit on Interstate 65 near Bowling Green, Kentucky. A photo shared on social media by Kentucky State Police showed the crumpled rear end of the trooper’s vehicle.
“This is why we are asking you TO STAY HOME and avoid travel,” the post read.
(2:50 p.m. ET) Washington Prepares For Winter Storm Blair, Schools Closed Monday
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser held a news conference Sunday afternoon to provide updates about the city’s preparations for Winter Storm Blair. The city is expected to get anywhere from 5 to 9 inches of snow starting Sunday night. Mayor Bowser declared a snow emergency Sunday afternoon and she announced that city schools will be closed on Monday.
Emergency response and transportation officials urged people to move their parked vehicles from snow emergency routes, a map of those routes are available here
Residents were told to expect reduced train and bus service, officials also noted that some stations and routes would be closed because of funeral services for former President Jimmy Carter.
(2:34 p.m. ET) School Closures Across Kansas City
Schools across Kansas city will either be closed or going virtual on Monday. Multiple districts in the area announced the changes on Sunday as blizzard conditions walloped the region. Local television station KSHB has a list of the school closures and delays.
(2:17 p.m. ET) DC Declares A Snow Emergency
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a snow emergency for the city Sunday afternoon. She urged residents to move their vehicles from snow emergency routes and we’re expecting to get more information during a live news conference from the mayor during the 2 p.m. ET hour.
(2:00 p.m. ET) Kentucky State Offices Closed Monday
Governor Andy Beshear has announced that all state offices in Kentucky will be closed on Monday, January 6. Gov. Beshear declared a state of emergency on Saturday, just ahead of the winter storm’s arrival in his state.
(1:31 p.m. ET) State Of Emergency In West Virginia
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice declared a state of emergency Sunday afternoon for all 55 counties in the state due to Winter Storm Blair. He said National Guard troops and equipment are being staged for a swift storm response. Justice also urged residents to check in on neighbors periodically and remain cautious.
(12:40 p.m. ET) Snow Intensifies In Missouri
Snow is blanketing the ground outside the offices of the National Weather Service in Weldon Spring, Missouri. Meteorologists there shared photos on social media and warned that as much as 12 inches of snow could fall along the Highway 36 and I-72 corridor.
(12:00 p.m. ET) Power Outages Surge In Missouri
By midday Sunday, more than 21,000 homes and businesses were without power in Missouri as Winter Storm Blair hit the state. More than two dozen counties across Missouri are impacted. Power outages in Kansas are near 10,000.
Did you know that one-quarter of weather-related power outages in the U.S. are linked to winter storms? Watch this video for expert advice on how to survive a cold-weather power outage.
(11:38 a.m. ET) Multiple Crashes Shut Down Part Of Kentucky Highway
Snow and ice caused multiple vehicle crashes on I-64 in Jefferson County, Kentucky late Sunday morning. Governor Andy Beshear said the closure could last for hours. State transportation officials shared a photo on social media showing the shutdown.
(11:15 a.m. ET) Blizzard Conditions In Topeka, Kansas
Heavy snow and winds gusting as high as 45 mph are hitting the Topeka area. The National Weather Service shared video from early Sunday morning showing blowing snow and near whiteout conditions. More than 10,000 homes and businesses were without power across Kansas by late Sunday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.
(10:42 a.m. ET) Road Conditions Worsen in North-Central Kansas
Kansas Highway Patrol State report on social media that parts of Interstate 135 are “snowpacked and down to barely one lane in both directions.”
(10 a.m. ET) Nearly 200 Crashes In Missouri
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says there have been 176 crashes reported since Saturday afternoon. More than 600 drivers have made emergency calls for assistance. Troopers urged people to stay off the roads until the storm passes.
(9:33 a.m. ET) Indiana Activates National Guard
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has activated the National Guard in his state to provide winter storm support and assistance to first responders. According to local news reports, National Guard teams will help stranded motorists and provide other emergency support. Those teams have been deployed from Bedford, Edinburgh, Evansville, Indianapolis, New Albany, Shelbyville, and Washington and will remain active through Tuesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning across much of central Indiana.
(9:03 a.m. ET) More than 100 Flights Canceled At St. Louis Airport
At least 191 flights were canceled Sunday morning in and out of St. Louis Lambert International Airport, according to flightaware.com
A spokesperson for United Airlines and Air Canada told Missouri television station KSDK they canceled all flights at Lambert Airport on Sunday.
(8:30 a.m. ET) Snow Moves In On Top Of Ice In Kansas City
Kansas City police urged drivers to stay off the roads Sunday morning, sharing the picture below to show how the ice accumulation on roads is shifting to snow.
(8:10 a.m. ET) States Of Emergency In Four States
The governors of Missouri, Maryland and Kentucky declared a state of emergency in response to Winter Storm Blair. The declarations allow the states to speed up assistance, request federal resources and coordinate emergency responses in their states.
Governor Mike Parson’s declaration in Missouri warned of as much as 10 inches of snow and sleet in some parts of the state.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore urged people to avoid travel if possible Sunday through Monday.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear warned of widespread power outages and freezing temperatures throughout the week.
Governor Glenn Youngkin urged Virginians and visitors to monitor weather alerts before getting on the roads.
(7:43 a.m. ET) More than 20,000 Without Power
As of Sunday morning, more than 20,000 homes and businesses were without power across four states according to PowerOutage.us:
-Kansas: 10,458 outages
-Missouri: 5,409 outages
-Michigan: 3,272 outages
-Virginia: 3,068 outages
(7:25 a.m. ET) More than 100 Flights Canceled At Kansas City Airport
At least 107 flights were canceled Sunday morning at Kansas City International Airport, according to flightaware.com. The airport reopened Saturday evening after being closed for about three hours due to ice on the runways. Flights resumed around 5 p.m. local time.
(7:10 a.m. ET) Stretches of I-70 Shut Down Due To Ice
Transportation officials in north-central Kansas urged people to stay at home as crews tried to treat roads covered in ice late Saturday. Parts of Interstate 70 were closed in places like Ellsworth, Lincoln, Saline, Dickinson and Geary.
(6:50 a.m. ET) Where Are Blizzard Warnings In Effect?
From weather.com senior meteorologist Christopher Dolce:
Blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of Kansas, northwest Missouri and far southeast Nebraska. The warnings include the Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka metro areas, where the combination of heavy snowfall, strong winds and low visibility might reach blizzard criteria at times into early Monday.
