Subscribe to the Morning Brief e-newsletter to get weekday updates from The Weather Channel and our meteorologists.
Snow and ice are making roads slippery and dangerous in parts of the Midwest, including Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky, as a winter storm roars east.
As one Kansas state trooper said, “Here we are now.” »
The trooper was referring to the scene as ice blocked long stretches of Interstate 70 in the state and triggered wrecks along the way. It was just the beginning of a major winter storm’s impact on tens of millions of people, from the Plains and Midwest to the mid-Atlantic.
At least 60 million people are under winter weather alerts. They face not only ice, but also heavy snow and freezing rain that could cause widespread power outages in extremely cold weather.
The system was named Winter Storm Blair by The Weather Channel. View our full forecast here and get the latest news below:
(6:34 p.m. ET) Hundreds of flights delayed or canceled
Here’s how airport delays and cancellations are piling up in the storm’s path, according to airline tracking site FlightAware.com. Among the worst right now are Kansas City International Airport – where 94% of all departures and 90% of arrivals are canceled – and St. Louis Lambert International Airport – where 65% of all departures and 64 % of arrivals are canceled.
In total, this equates to almost 600 flight cancellations.
(6:22 p.m. ET) Cantore: “This is not going to end well. »
The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore is on the ground in Kansas City.
“We have a long way to go here in town with these roads,” Cantore said in a live video. “A long way to go.”
He echoed advice from local authorities for people to stay off the roads.
“Unless you come here, unless you have a 4×4 and know how to drive in this sort of thing, it’s not going to end well.”
See Cantore’s live photo 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 of at least 35 mph and visibility less than a quarter mile for at least three hours.
Here are some areas that experienced these 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 pace
From the Associated Press: In Indiana, snow completely covered portions of Interstate 64, Interstate 69 and U.S. Route 41, prompting Indiana State Police to plead motorists to stay off the roads as snow plows worked to keep pace with the precipitation. .
“It’s snowing so hard that the snowplows are coming by, and in less than half an hour the roads are completely covered again,” said Sgt. » said Todd Ringle.
(4:16 p.m. ET) Soldier struck on slippery road
A state trooper was injured when he was struck on Interstate 65 near Bowling Green, Kentucky. A photo shared on social media by Kentucky State Police showed the crumpled rear of the trooper’s vehicle.
“This is why we ask you to STAY HOME and avoid traveling,” the message read.
(2:50 p.m. ET) Washington braces for Winter Storm Blair and schools are closed Monday
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser held a press conference Sunday afternoon to provide an update on the city’s preparations for Winter Storm Blair. The city is expected to receive between 5 and 9 inches of snow starting Sunday evening. Mayor Bowser declared a snow emergency Sunday afternoon and announced that city schools would be closed Monday.
Emergency response and transportation officials urged people to remove their parked vehicles from emergency routes in the event of snow. A map of these routes is available here.
Residents have been told to expect a reduction in train and bus service. Officials also noted that some stations and lines would be closed due to the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter.
(2:34 p.m. ET) School closings in Kansas City
Kansas City schools will be closed or go virtual Monday. Several districts in the region announced the changes Sunday as blizzard conditions hit the region. Local television station KSHB has a list of school closures and delays.
(2:17 p.m. ET) DC declares snow emergency
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a snow emergency for the city Sunday afternoon. She urged residents to remove their vehicles from emergency roads in the event of snow and we expect to get more information during a live news conference from the mayor at 2 p.m. ET.
(2 p.m. ET) Kentucky state offices are closed Monday
Governor Andy Beshear announced that all Kentucky state offices will be closed on Monday, January 6. Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency on Saturday, just before the winter storm arrived 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 in all 55 counties in the state due to Winter Storm Blair. He said National Guard troops and equipment were ready to respond quickly to the storm. Justice also urged residents to periodically check on their neighbors and remain cautious.
(12:40 p.m. ET) Snow intensifies in Missouri
Snow covers the ground outside the National Weather Service offices in Weldon Spring, Missouri. Meteorologists shared photos on social media and warned that up to 12 inches of snow could fall along Highway 36 and the I-72 corridor.
(12:00 p.m. ET) Power outages increase in Missouri
As of midday Sunday, more than 21,000 homes and businesses were without power in Missouri as Winter Storm Blair battered the state. More than two dozen Missouri counties are affected. Power outages in Kansas near 10,000.
Did you know that a quarter of weather-related power outages in the United States are linked to winter storms? Watch this video for expert advice on how to survive a power outage in cold weather.
(11:38 a.m. ET) Multiple crashes close part of Kentucky Highway
Snow and ice caused several vehicle crashes on I-64 in Jefferson County, Kentucky, Sunday morning. Gov. Andy Beshear said the shutdown could last for hours. State transportation officials shared a photo on social media showing the closure.
(11:15 a.m. ET) Blizzard conditions in Topeka, Kansas
Heavy snow and winds up to 45 mph are hitting the Topeka area. The National Weather Service shared video taken early Sunday morning showing blowing snow and near whiteout conditions. More than 10,000 homes and businesses were without power across Kansas as of Sunday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.
(10:42 a.m. ET) Road conditions deteriorate in north-central Kansas
The State Kansas Highway Patrol reports on social media that parts of Interstate 135 are “snow covered and down to one lane in both directions.”
(10 a.m. ET) Nearly 200 crashes in Missouri
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says 176 crashes have been reported since Saturday afternoon. More than 600 drivers have made emergency calls for help. Police urged people to stay off the roads until the storm passes.
(9:33 a.m. ET) Indiana activates National Guard
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb activated the National Guard in his state to provide winter storm support and assistance to first responders. According to local media, National Guard teams will help stranded motorists and provide other emergency relief. These 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 for 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 to and from St. Louis Lambert International Airport, according to Flightaware.com.
A spokesperson for United Airlines and Air Canada told Missouri television station KSDK that they canceled all flights at Lambert Airport on Sunday.
(8:30 a.m. ET) Snow settles on ice in Kansas City
Kansas City police urged drivers to stay off the roads Sunday morning, sharing the photo below to show how ice buildup on roads turns to snow.
(8:10 a.m. ET) States of emergency in four states
The governors of Missouri, Maryland and Kentucky declared states of emergency in response to Winter Storm Blair. The declarations allow states to expedite aid, request federal resources, and coordinate emergency responses in their states.
Gov. Mike Parson’s statement in Missouri warned of up to 10 inches of snow and sleet in parts of the state.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore urged people to avoid traveling from Sunday to Monday if possible.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear warned of widespread power outages and freezing temperatures throughout the week.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin urged Virginians and visitors to monitor weather alerts before hitting the road.
(7:43 a.m. ET) More than 20,000 people without power
As of Sunday morning, more than 20,000 homes and businesses were without power in four states, according to PowerOutage.us:
-Kansas : 10,458 pannes
-Missouri: 5,409 outages
-Michigan : 3 272 pannes
-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 icy conditions on the runways. Flights resumed around 5 p.m. local time.
(7:10 a.m. ET) Sections of I-70 closed due to ice
Transportation officials in north-central Kansas urged people to stay home as crews attempted to clear ice-covered roads Saturday evening. 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?
According to Weather.com Senior Meteorologist Christopher Dolce:
Blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of Kansas, northwest Missouri and far southeastern Nebraska. The warnings are for the Kansas City, Wichita and Topeka metro areas, where the combination of heavy snow, strong winds and low visibility could reach blizzard criteria at times through early Monday.
