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- Washington Reagan National Airport shut down runways Monday evening.
- School closures were announced for Tuesday in areas including parts of Washington, Virginia and Maryland.
- Snowfall totals reached at least 18 inches.
It could be days before power is restored and roads are clear after a winter storm cut a deadly, icy path across parts of the U.S.
Several deaths were blamed on the storm that shut down interstates, caused thousands of airport delays and racked up more than 350,000 power outages from Kansas, Missouri and Illinois into Virginia, Washington and Maryland.
The system, named Winter Storm Blair by The Weather Channel, put millions under winter storm warnings and brought record snowfall to some areas.
“Blair also brought a walloping amount of snow in a short amount of time,” weather.com digital meteorologist Sara Tonks said. “Washington D.C. hasn’t had more than 4 inches of snow in one day since January of 2022.”
Here are our live updates as the storm finished its march east Monday:
(6:27 p.m. ET) Washington Reagan Shuts Down Runways
Runways are closing this evening at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, according to an update on the airport’s website. The notice, posted at 5 p.m., didn’t give a specific timeline but said the closure was necessary so crews could focus on cleaning runways and preventing freezing.
More than 700 flights were canceled or delayed today at Washington National, according to online tracker FlightAware.com.
(6:22 p.m. ET) Washington, Maryland Virginia Schools Closed Tomorrow
Several schools are announcing closures for tomorrow. A list compiled by The Washington Post includes these public school districts: Alexandria, Anne Arundel, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Frederick County, Loudoun County, Manassas, Montgomery County and Prince William County.
(6:15 p.m. ET) More Deaths Blamed On Storm
At least two more deaths on roadways are being attributed to Winter Storm Blair, bringing the total to seven. The latest confirmed deaths happened in traffic crashes in Virginia and West Virginia.
(5:16 p.m. ET) What’s Next In Winter Weather?
From weather.com senior meteorologist Dina Knightly:
Snow will come to an end later tonight but the cold and wind will remain. Anyone without power should find warmer shelter if you already haven’t done so. With all this cold air in place, it is setting up for yet another winter storm that will begin later on Wednesday near Texas and move through the South and East into the weekend. More icy conditions are likely along with some heavy snow, more power outages and difficult travel. Be prepared to have schools in the south cancelled or have them working remotely.
(5:08 p.m. ET) Beware of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Extended power outages during a stretch of extreme cold in Texas in 2021 led to at least 11 deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. Some 1,400 people were treated in medical facilities.
Don’t let this happen to you. Never use a portable generator inside or near covered spaces including patios or carports. Using an indoor grill or similar items inside can also be dangerous, as can running your car in the garage, even just to charge your cell phone.
And always have carbon monoxide detectors with working batteries outside sleeping areas and on each level of your home.
Here are more safety guidelines:
–How To Protect Your Family From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning During A Power Outage
-Don’t Fall Victim To Carbon Monoxide in Cold Weather
(4:33 p.m. ET) Snow Spurred One Of Washington’s Funnest Traditions
The DC Snowball Fight Association has been organizing snowball fights on Washington snow days. for 15 years. Winter Storm Blair offered a great opportunity to continue the tradition.
(3:31 p.m. ET) Heads Up, Virginia: Power Outages Could Linger For Days
Appalachian Power says some of its customers in Virginia may not have power restored until Thursday. Specifically, an update from the company says outages could last longest in the communities of Rocky Mount, Lovingston, Lynchburg and Moneta.
Typically, power returns in steps and not to every customer at once. The projection is an estimate of when the last remaining outages will be resolved.
Appalachian Power says some of its West Virginia customers could expect power outages through Wednesday.
(3:15 p.m. ET) The One Foot Club
From weather.com senior meteorologist Jonathan Erdman:
We just received two reports of 12 inches of snowfall from the Delmarva Peninsula, one in Preston, Maryland, and one north of Georgetown, Delaware.
Locations in six different states – Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana were the others – have now reported at least a foot of snow.
A pair of locations in northern Kansas between Salina and Topeka still lead the pack with 18 inches of snow.
(2:05 p.m. ET) Power Outages Drop, But Hundreds Of Thousands Still Affected
About 280,000 homes, businesses and other utility customers are without electricity, down from more than 350,000 this morning. Since each outage can represent multiple people or households on a single account, the number of individuals impacted is even larger.
This is where the most outages are right now, according to PowerOutage.us:
- Virginia – 90,790 outages
- Kentucky – 64,448
- Indiana – 49,904
- West Virginia – 45,514
- Illinois – 34,920
(1:47 p.m. ET) Kansas City: Heaviest Snowstorm In 30+ Years
Eleven inches of snow fell in the city Sunday, making it the heaviest snowstorm there since February 1993.
It was also the fourth-largest one-day snowfall total on record.
(1:32 p.m. ET) Kentucky School Closures Extended Through Wednesday
Schools in Louisville are shut down until at least Thursday. Jefferson County Public Schools made the announcement less than an hour ago.
“These will be traditional snow days with no online instruction and no athletic or extracurricular activities,” the district said in a social media post.
The city’s mayor was quoted in local news reports as saying nine people were injured in storm-related incidents.
(1:01 p.m. ET) Death Toll Rises
At least five vehicle-related deaths are now being connected to Winter Storm Blair. In addition, authorities in Macon County, Illinois, say a boy died in an ATV incident. He was being pulled on an inner tube that reportedly slid into a boulder.
Three of the vehicle deaths happened in Kansas:
- Two people died Sunday in a crash in southwest Wichita. It happened when their vehicle spun out of control on I-235 and went down an embankment.
- On Saturday, one person was killed when a vehicle crashed into a semitrailer that swerved and jackknifed in icy conditions on U.S. 56 in Ford County.
Two were in Missouri:
- One person was hit and killed Sunday by a sliding dump truck in Jackson County near Independence.
- One person died Saturday when they were hit by their own vehicle after exiting it on the shoulder of Interstate 29 shoulder in Mound City, about 80 miles northwest of Kansas City.
(12:01 p.m. ET) Record Snowfall Total in Ohio
Cincinnati saw a total snowfall of 8.4 inches of snow Sunday. That broke the daily record of 6.9 inches set in 1977, the National Weather Service said.
Dayton saw 2.7 inches of snow Sunday, tying a daily record set in 1903.
Snow covers homes during a winter storm, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Cincinnati.
(AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
(11:44 a.m. ET) Topeka: Clearing Snow Will Take Days
It snowed so much in Topeka, Kansas, that it will take up to four days to clear all city streets. A post shared to the city’s social media accounts says road clearing started Sunday night and continues around the clock. Crews will clear streets as they become accessible.
Topeka’s snowfall total from the storm topped 14 inches. Sunday was the city’s third snowiest day on record, according to the National Weather Service.
(11:24 a.m. ET) Another Winter Storm Is In Store For Later This Week
The wintry weather isn’t over for the South and East once Blair heads out. Many of the same areas hit by Blair will see more snow and ice as another winter storm heads across the country.
“The next winter storm will begin to emerge in the Southern Plains by Wednesday night and especially Thursday. It could spread snow from parts of northern Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas to other portions of the South, the Ohio Valley and possibly parts of the East by Friday or Saturday,” weather.com Digital Meteorologist Chris Dolce said. “However, the track of this storm is still uncertain and that will determine what areas see significant snow and/or ice.”
Keep checking back for updates on the next storm, since changes are very likely as the week progresses.
(11:07 a.m. ET) Ice Brings Down Trees, Power Lines
Ice is knocking down trees and power lines, leaving some roads blocked and hundreds of thousands without electricity. A photo shared to social media showed some of the damage in Kentucky, where more than 80,000 power outages are being reported.
(10:54 a.m. ET) Ground Stop At O’Hare, Flight Cancellations Stack Up
Arrivals at Chicago O’Hare International Airport are currently delayed by up to 90 minutes due to snow and ice, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. In all, more than 360 flights to or from Chicago are canceled or delayed. Here’s how air travel is playing out at some other major airports affected by weather today, according to airline tracker FlightAware.com:
- Reagan National in Washington, 476 flights canceled or delayed.
- Baltimore/Washington International, 276 flights canceled or delayed.
- Washington Dulles, 220 flights canceled or delayed.
- St. Louis Lambert International, 216 flights canceled or delayed.
(10:45 a.m. ET) More Than 200 Vehicle Crashes In 12 Hours
Virginia State Police said in a press release that they responded to more than 200 crashes between 4 p.m. Sunday and 4 a.m. Monday. Not all accidents were storm related. There were several injuries, the Associated Press reported.
(10:20 a.m. ET) Missouri State Police Report Another Death
Winter Storm Blair’s death toll is now at four after Missouri State Police reported that a person was hit by a dump truck that was sliding on a slick road in Jackson County. The truck hit another vehicle as well.
(10:12 a.m. ET) Hazardous Road Conditions Across Indiana
Drivers in several areas are being asked to stay home due to road conditions in Indiana, including in the Bloomington area where a photo posted by state police showed an empty, snow-covered Interstate 69.
(10:02 a.m. ET) Photos Out Of D.C. Show Snow-Covered Roads
Crews are working to clear the snow off of roads in Washington, D.C., ahead of a joint session of Congress to certify Electoral College votes for the presidential election. Photos show a snowy plaza at the Capitol and on the White House lawn.
Workers clear the plaza at the Capitol as snow falls ahead of a joint session of Congress to certify the votes from the Electoral College in the presidential election, in Washington, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Police patrol the plaza at the Capitol as snow falls ahead of a joint session of Congress to certify the votes from the Electoral College in the presidential election, in Washington, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025.
(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Snow falls during a winter storm at the White House, Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
A mostly empty street near the White House is photographed during heavy snowfall in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2025.
(Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images)
(9:35 a.m. ET) Break Coming For D.C., Maryland, Virginia
From senior meteorologist Chris Dolce: Radar shows what we call a “dry slot” approaching the DMV, so that should cut off snowfall in the next few hours (or turn it to just flurries for a while). They’ll get a bit more there late today/evening as another batch of snowfall that’s currently over the Ohio Valley moves through the D.C. area.
(9:30 a.m. ET) The National Mall Is A Winter Wonderland
The National Mall in Washington, D.C., posted a photo on X of the area covered in snow as seen from above. Viewers can watch the flakes falling live on the MonumentCam.
(9:21 a.m.) The Biggest Snowfall Totals So Far
- 18 inches in Chapman and St. George, Kansas
- 13 inches in Cameron and St. Joseph, Missouri
- 11 inches in Mason, West Virginia
- 10 inches in Racine, Ohio
- 9.5 inches in Chatham, Illinois, and Columbus, Indiana.
- 8.4 inches in Hebron, Kentucky
- 8 inches in Arkendale, Virginia
- 7.4 inches in Leonardtown, Maryland
(8:53 a.m. ET) Power Outages Top 350,000
More than 357,000 customers are without power as a winter storm spreads snow, ice and heavy wind, PowerOutage.us reports. The power outages stretch across seven states:
- Texas: 11,777 outages
- Missouri: 33,943 outages
- Illinois: 39,026 outages
- Indiana: 50,964 outages
- Kentucky: 87,854 outages
- West Virginia: 44,307 outages
- Virginia: 89,606 outages
(8:42 a.m. ET) School Closures Scattered Along East Coast
Schools throughout the East Coast and mid-Atlantic are closed due to the storm. All Washington, D.C., public schools are closed Monday, as well as Alexandria public schools, Arlington County public schools and Fairfax County public schools in Virginia. Public schools in Culpeper County, Virginia, are closed today for students and staff and closed tomorrow for students, but staff will be expected onsite.
Public schools are closed in Maryland’s Montgomery County and Prince George’s County. Philadelphia School District classes are canceled Monday.
In New Jersey, dozens of schools across the southern part of the state have closed in anticipation of the storm. See a list here.
(8:24 a.m. ET) Wichita TopGolf Location Sustains Storm Damage
A Wichita, Kansas, Topgolf location is short a net after heavy winds tore some of its netting apart Sunday. The area saw winds up to 43 mph, according to weather.com Senior Digital Meteorologist Jon Erdman. Nearby Eisenhower National Airport measured 3.6 inches of snow.
(8:04 a.m. ET) Jacksonville Jaguars Make It Home After Seven Hour Flight Delay
The Jacksonville Jaguars are home after spending seven hours on the tarmac at Indianapolis International Airport as Winter Storm Blair bore down. Their game against the Colts Sunday night went into overtime, delaying their travel plans enough that the storm badly snarled their travel plans, according to The Associated Press.
The National Weather Service reported between 2 to 5 inches of snow in the area as well as freezing rain and wind gusts up to 40 mph.
(7:38 a.m. ET) D.C. Area Has More Than 4.5 Inches Of Snow
Ronald Reagan National Airport reported 4.7 inches of snow on the ground by 7 a.m. Areas west of the airport are seeing totals over 5 inches, and nearly 6 inches are reported to the south.
(7:24 a.m. ET) Washington Could See An Inch Of Snow Per Hour This Morning
The National Weather Service office for Washington-Baltimore said that the D.C. area could receive an inch of snow per hour or more, making for dangerous commuting conditions this morning.
“During times of heaviest snowfall, even primary roads may be impassable,” NWS warns. “It is highly recommended to postpone non-essential travel.”
(7:04 a.m. ET) More Than 1,300 Flights Canceled Across The U.S.
FlightAware.com reports 1,339 canceled flights within, into and out of the U.S., though not all are due to Blair. Ronald Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, D.C., has the most cancellations today, with 234 canceled departures and 182 arriving flights canceled.
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport is suffering the second most cancellations, with 201 total cancellations, and Washington Dulles International Airport is close behind with a total of 155 canceled flights.
(6:35 a.m. ET) Several States Declare States Of Emergency
States of Emergency are issued in six states, including Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland and seven counties in New Jersey. Washington, D.C., has declared a snow emergency through the end of the day Tuesday.
(6:25 a.m. ET) Kansas Areas See Heaviest Snow Totals East Of The Rockies From Blair
So far, Chapman, Kansas and areas near St. George, Kansas, have seen the heaviest snowfall east of the Rockies from this winter storm. Both areas recorded 18 inches of snow, and Topeka, Kansas, recorded its third-largest calendar day snowfall and fourth-largest two-day total.
(6:17 a.m. ET) Snow Begins In Delaware And Southern New Jersey
Southern New Jersey and southern Delaware are seeing their first flakes from Winter Storm Blair. Snowfall will continue in these areas for most of the day. A winter storm warning is in place for parts of both states, and a winter weather advisory covers Philadelphia and its suburbs through late Monday night.
(6:02 a.m. ET) At Least Three Dead
A third person is reported dead by Missouri State Highway Patrol due to Winter Storm Blair. There were no other details released in a Facebook post that listed the fatality.
Two people are reported dead in a single-vehicle crash in Sedgwick County, Kansas. The accident occurred at 8:40 p.m. on Sunday.
(5:35 a.m. ET) Where Is Winter Storm Blair Now?
Winter Storm Blair is spreading snow from Illinois to Virginia and Maryland. Heavy snow is being reported in both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, where visibility is down to ⅛ to ¼ of a mile.
Winter storm warnings for snow and/or ice stretch from the mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys into the mid-Atlantic, including Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Kentucky, St. Louis, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Drivers should avoid driving in these areas.
