Jump to content

January 2025 North American storm complex

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
January 2025 North American storm complex
Meteorological history
FormedJanuary 5, 2025
DissipatedCurrently active
Extratropical cyclone
Lowest pressure1000 hPa (mbar); 29.53 inHg
Maximum snowfall or ice accretionSnowfall – 11 in (28 cm) near Tipton, Kansas
Ice – 0.4 in (10 mm) near Harris, Kansas
Tornado outbreak
Tornadoes3
Maximum ratingEFU tornado
DurationJanuary 3, 2025–present
Overall effects
Fatalities0[1][failed verification]
Injuries27[1]
Areas affectedBritish Columbia, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountains, High Plains
Power outages>41,000
Part of the 2024–25 North American winter

The January 2025 North American storm complex, unofficially nicknamed Winter Storm Blair by The Weather Channel, is an ongoing significant meteorological event that produced a tornado,[2][3] an ice storm, a blizzard,[4] and a winter storm coupled with an arctic blast that impacted the northwestern United States, southwestern Canada, the Great Plains, and the Midwest region.[5][6][7]

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.[2][3]

Meteorological history

[edit]
Screenshot of weather.gov highlighting active weather alerts across the United States on the evening of January 4, 2025

On 2:00 PM CST January 2, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a forecast that warned of an approaching major winter storm system 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.[8] At 4:13 PM on January 4, the NWS issued a blizzard warning for eastern Kansas and in western Missouri, including the northern Kansas City metropolitan area. The warning was later extended to central Kansas and southern Nebraska.[9][10]

According to the National Weather Service, the winter storm first made landfall during the afternoon of 3 January along the west coast.[11] Winter storm advisories issued by the NWS throughout 3 January 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.[12] The NWS issued winter storm warnings for Northern Virginia, central Maryland, and the Washington D.C. area at 3:54 PM EST on 4 January,[13] with the predicted impact extending over 2,100 miles.[14]

Meteorologist for Fox Weather Bob Van Dillen expressed warnings for freezing rain across the Midwest, which he stated would likely bring down several power lines and cause widespread power outages when coupled with wind estimates of 20–30 mph (32–48 km/h). He also warned of a weakening polar jet stream resulting in a polar vortex that could potentially move Arctic air as far south as the Mississippi Valley.[15] The winter storm system originated in the Pacific Northwest before tracking southeastward.[15] Environment and Climate Change Canada issued snowfall warnings for regions across British Columbia, including for eastern Fraser Valley and Hope.[6]

At 3:15 PM EST on January 4, the NWS reported that 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.[16]

At 2:45 AM EST on January 5, the NWS estimated that between a quarter and a half-inch of freezing rain would fall over the Middle Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley. The update also predicted that over 15 in (38 cm) of snow would fall on Kansas and Missouri, which would be the heaviest amount for the region in a decade. The storm system was also predicted to cause heavy lake-effect snow production across the Great Lakes region due to cold air joining with upper-level energy over the Great Lakes.[17]

Preparations

[edit]

Major U.S. airlines, including United Airlines, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines, implemented fee waivers for flight changes during the event.[12]

Ohio Valley

[edit]

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.[18] The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet issued warnings for residents to avoid road travel due to projected hazardous conditions brought on by freezing rain and icing.[19] The Christian Wayside Mission and the Salvation Army in Louisville opened warming shelters for the homeless.[20]

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.[21]

Mid-Atlantic

[edit]

Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin issued a state of emergency on 3 January.[22]

Multiple Maryland school districts issued schedule changes for students in order to avoid severe weather.[15][23] Governor of Maryland Wes Moore issued a State of Preparedness extending from 5–6 January.[24]

Impact

[edit]

Western United States

[edit]

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.[25]

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.[2][3] 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.[3]

Travel advisories were issued in Montana due to heavy snowfall in mountainous areas in conjunction with strong wind gusts.[25] Nearly all regions of Montana were impacted by heavy snowfall, with cold weather advisories issued across northeast Montana.[26][27]

High Plains

[edit]

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.[28] 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.[29][30] Governor of Kansas Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency amid the storm's precipitation causing several traffic collisions and road closures.[31]

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.[32] This came before their game against the Denver Broncos the next day.[33][34]

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.[35] 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.[36]

Southeastern United States

[edit]

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.[37]

Severe weather

[edit]
Confirmed tornadoes by Enhanced Fujita rating
EFU EF0 EF1 EF2 EF3 EF4 EF5 Total
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

The winter storm also brought severe weather across the country, with at least one confirmed tornado so far as of January 5.

January 3 event

[edit]
List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, January 3, 2025[a]
EF# Location County / Parish State Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width
EFU NE of Bend Tehama CA 40°20′15″N 122°05′24″W / 40.3374°N 122.0899°W / 40.3374; -122.0899 (Bend (Jan. 3, EFU)) 03:18–03:21 0.8 mi (1.3 km) [to be determined]
A short-lived tornado touched down with no reported damage.[38][39]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ 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

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Missouri State Highway Patrol shares winter storm crash numbers". KYTV. 5 January 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Wulfeck, Andrew (2025-01-03). "California wildfire alert camera captures video of country's first tornado of 2025". FOX Weather. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  3. ^ a b c d Yoon, John (2025-01-04). "Tornado Confirmed in Northern California". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  4. ^ "KSHB 41 Weather | Blizzard conditions Sunday in Kansas City". KSHB 41 Kansas City News. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  5. ^ "Winter Storm Blair A Major Snow And Ice Threat | Weather.com". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  6. ^ a b "Environment Canada issues snowfall warning for eastern Fraser Valley, Hope - BC | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  7. ^ "What to know as snow, freezing rain and bitter cold heads through much of the US". AP News. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  8. ^ Edwards, Joe (2025-01-03). "Winter storm forecast worsens as meteorologists warn of "brutal mess"". Newsweek. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  9. ^ "Update: Blizzard warning issued for the Kansas City area for Sunday and Monday, according to the NWS". The Kansas City Star. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  10. ^ "Winter Storm Forecast". KAKE. 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  11. ^ "NWS Weather Prediction Center". Twitter/X. 3 January 2025. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  12. ^ a b "Powerful winter storm to bring snowy, icy conditions to Midwest, Mid-Atlantic - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  13. ^ "DEVELOPING: Winter Storm Warning issued for Arlington and region | ARLnow.com". www.arlnow.com. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  14. ^ Oberholtz, Chris (2025-01-01). "Winter Storm spanning over 2,100 miles to blast heavy snow, hazardous ice from central Plains to mid-Atlantic". FOX Weather. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  15. ^ a b c Castro, Amanda (2025-01-03). "Hazardous conditions expected as winter storm to hit Nebraska, Iowa". Newsweek. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  16. ^ "WPC's Short Range Public Discussion". www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov. 4 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  17. ^ "WPC's Short Range Public Discussion". www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov. 5 January 2025. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  18. ^ "Gov. Beshear issues State of Emergency ahead of winter storm | NewsRadio 1230 AM/99.3 FM | Hopkinsville's News Leader | Hopkinsville, Kentucky". whopam.com. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  19. ^ "KYTC District 8 Crews Prepared for Significant Winter Storm". THE WAVE. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  20. ^ Johnson, Marina. "These Louisville warming centers, shelters will be open this weekend". The Courier-Journal. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  21. ^ Bauer, David C.L. (3 January 2025). "Snow emergencies declared in Jacksonville, South Jacksonville as winter storm approaches". My Journal Courier. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  22. ^ "Governor Youngkin declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm". WSLS. 2025-01-03. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  23. ^ Lumpkin, Lauren; Asbury, Nicole (4 January 2025). "A snow day? Delay? How D.C.-area schools will make the call in bad weather". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  24. ^ Buckheit, Ellie (2025-01-04). "Gov. Wes Moore declares State of Preparedness for Maryland snowstorm starting January 5". WBFF. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  25. ^ a b Forecaster, Jenny Power, NonStop Local Weather (2025-01-03). "Freezing rain and snow hit Eastern Washington and Montana". NonStop Local Billings. Retrieved 2025-01-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ "No Dry January for Montana". KTVH. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  27. ^ Smith, Tracy (2025-01-03). "Widespread accumulating snow will lead to slick roads and areas of low visibility through the weekend". NonStop Local Montana. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  28. ^ Bittan, Ryan (4 January 2025). "WEATHER ADVISORY: Winter storm hitting Utah through Saturday evening". ABC4. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  29. ^ "Millions Brace For A Winter Wallop As Storm Blair Brings Major Snow And Ice Threat | Weather.com". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  30. ^ "Drivers skid and crash as wintry mix grips central US before moving east". AP News. 2025-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
  31. ^ Seckington, Dillon (4 January 2025). "Kansas Gov. Kelly issues state of disaster for severe winter storm". FOX 4 Kansas City. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
  32. ^ SKRETTA, (Associated Press), DAVE (2025-01-04). "Chiefs stranded in KC as ice shuts down airport and blizzard-like conditions sweep through Midwest". www.KXAN.com. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  33. ^ Davis, JoBeth (2025-01-04). "KCI closed due to 'rapid ice accumulation,' Kansas City Chiefs charter plane stranded at airport". KMBC. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  34. ^ Stumbaugh, Julia. "Chiefs Plane 'Stranded' at KC Airport Due to Icy Conditions Ahead of Broncos Game". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  35. ^ Motter, Sarah (2025-01-05). "Investigation opened as missing woman found deceased during winter storm". kctv5.com. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  36. ^ "One dead, one injured in Ford County crash". KAKE. 2025-01-05. Retrieved 2025-01-06.
  37. ^ Goins, Madylin (5 January 2025). "Tracking power outages: Winter storm knocks out power as it sweeps through the bluegrass". FOX 56. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
  38. ^ Various National Weather Service offices (2025). "Damage Assessment Toolkit" (Interactive map and database). DAT. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  39. ^ "January 3rd, 2025 Tornado Event". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Sacramento, California: National Weather Service. 4 January 2025. Archived from the original on 4 January 2025. Retrieved 4 January 2025.
Retrieved from "https://wiki.riteme.site/w/index.php?title=January_2025_North_American_storm_complex&oldid=1267689865"