Winter Storm Blair Update: 15 States Face Potentially Heavy Snow Today

Millions of Americans are preparing for severe winter weather today as Winter Storm Blair moves across the country, bringing heavy snow, high winds and hazardous travel conditions to 15 states.

It comes after the NWS said Storm Blair will produce “arctic outbreaks” in many areas of the country.

Why is it important

Heavy snowfall could cause widespread disruption, making travel challenging and potentially dangerous, with reduced visibility, slippery roads and risk of accidents or delays.

What to know

The 15 states under Winter Storm Warnings They are Kentucky, Indiana, Maryland, West Virginia, Kansas, Montana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Alaska, West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Nebraska.

The National Weather Service (NWS) reports that regions stretching from central Kansas to Indiana face a 60 to 90 percent chance of receiving at least eight inches of snow, but some areas, including Kansas and Missouri, They could receive up to 14 inches of snow. . Areas with the highest accumulations could experience the “heaviest snowfall in at least a decade,” according to the NWS.

The agency also warned that power outages and tree damage were likely due to ice.

Meanwhile, in Yakutat, Alaska, the NWS has warned that snow will accumulate quickly on Saturday. “For Yakutat, snow showers over the area are expected to continue overnight with very dry, fluffy snow. Such snow is expected to accumulate rapidly,” the agency said.

In areas such as Kentucky, Kansas, Maryland and West Virginia, wind gusts up to 50 mph are possible.

The NWS said in a statement Friday that “travel of all types will likely be very difficult and extremely dangerous” in areas where heavy snowfall and/or significant icing is expected.

Travelers are advised to carry an emergency kit in their vehicles, including a flashlight, food and water. Non-essential travel should be delayed, the NWS said, but if venturing out is unavoidable, extreme caution is essential. Drivers should prepare for sudden changes in visibility, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and allow extra time to reach their destinations. Drivers should also avoid sudden braking or acceleration and take special care on slopes and curves. It is also highly recommended to ensure that vehicles are properly winterized and in good working order.

In areas with ice accumulation, the NWS has recommended carrying a winter storm kit, which should include essential items such as tire chains, booster cables, a flashlight, a shovel, blankets and additional clothing. Additionally, they recommended bringing water, a first aid kit, and any other items that could help you survive if you were stranded.

What people say

AccuWeather Senior Long Range Expert Paul Pastelok said: “This could end up being the coldest January since 2011 for the United States as a whole.”

He also noted that the storm’s Arctic outbreak “will involve many days and will not just be a quick one- to three-day event.”

The NWS said in X: “As we end 2024 and head into 2025, above-normal heat in the eastern half of the US will quickly be replaced by a series of arctic outbreaks… and the coldest air of the season will persist for next week.”

What happens next?

The warnings come amid reports that a polar vortex could bring the The coldest January the United States has faced in years.

TO The polar vortex is a current of cold air. and could mean severe weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that could affect travel conditions and lead to school closures.

“Through much of January, below-normal temperatures are favored across the central and eastern United States,” the NWS said last week.