Winter storm warnings and weather advisories are in place across 15 states due to expected snowfall, freezing rain and potentially hazardous road conditions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings as a powerful polar vortex is set to drop temperatures nationwide this week.
Blizzard and heavy snow conditions are predicted across large regions of the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. A map released by the NWS shows the areas impacted, with pink meaning a winter warning is in place, and orange meaning there is a blizzard warning.
A winter storm warning indicates that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected. It can also be issued if sleet accumulation will be at least half an inch.
Breakdown by state
Kansas
A winter storm warning is in effect for multiple regions across Kansas Sunday, with varying conditions and durations.
North-central Kansas, including areas like Phillipsburg, Rooks, and Stockton, faces a warning until 6 p.m. CST Sunday. Snow, heavy at times, will accumulate 3 to 9 inches with gusty winds causing near-blizzard conditions. The snowfall should end by the evening, with winds easing later.
Finney, Gray, Lane, Scott, and Trego Counties face heavy snow (1–6 inches), light ice, and gusts up to 45 mph until 6 p.m. CST Sunday. Anderson, Coffey, and Franklin Counties expect 4–6 inches of snow, sleet, ice accumulations up to 0.2 inches, and gusty winds until midnight. Allen and Woodson Counties anticipate snow (1–3 inches), sleet, and ice (up to 0.2 inches) through 6 p.m. Sunday.
In Norton, Sheridan, Graham, and Gove Counties, snow (5–9 inches) and freezing fog will cause hazardous travel until Sunday evening.
Missouri
A winter storm warning is in effect until 6 a.m. CST Monday, impacting central, northeast, and southwest Missouri, including Columbia, Jefferson City, and Hannibal.
Heavy rain, sleet, and 2-14 inches of snow are forecast, as well as ice accumulations up to 0.5 inches. Wind gusts may reach 45 mph, leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility. Travel conditions could be extremely hazardous, with potential road ice and flash freezing. Power outages may occur due to ice accumulation.
Illinois
A winter storm warning is effective until midday CST Monday, affecting central and southeast Illinois, including Springfield, Decatur, and Champaign. Snowfall totals are expected to range from 5-12 inches, with the heaviest accumulation along and south of a Beardstown-to-Paris line.
South of I-70, snow will mix with sleet and freezing rain, resulting in ice accumulations of up to 0.2 inches. Blowing snow may significantly reduce visibility, making travel hazardous. Power outages are possible due to ice. Hancock and McDonough Counties in Illinois are under a winter storm warning until 6 a.m. Monday, with 4 to 7 inches of snow expected. Gusty winds of up to 30 mph may cause blowing and drifting snow, especially on east-west roads.
Iowa
Southern Iowa is under a winter storm warning until 3 a.m. CST Monday due to heavy snowfall, especially near the Missouri border along the Iowa Highway 2 corridor. Snowfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected across region. Winds gusting up to 35 mph could lead to blowing and drifting snow, creating hazardous travel conditions. Little to no snow is anticipated north of I-80. Roads, bridges, and overpasses will become slick, and visibility may be reduced.
Indiana
A warning is in effect for Indiana from Sunday morning through Monday evening. Central, east-central, and southern regions, including Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Bloomington, and Seymour, can expect 6–10 inches of snow, with light ice accumulations in the south. North-central areas, including Lafayette and Kokomo, will see 3–7 inches of snow. Winds of up to 35 mph may cause blowing snow, reduced visibility, and power outages from downed lines.
Nebraska
Southeast Nebraska, including Lincoln, Nebraska City, and Auburn, remains under a winter storm warning until midnight CST on Sunday. Heavy snow, with accumulations of 3 to 11 inches, and wind gusts up to 35 mph are expected.
Kentucky
A warning is in effect across Kentucky from 7 a.m. EST Sunday to 7 a.m. EST Tuesday. Affected regions include east-central, northeast, south-central, and southeast regions of the state. Forecasts predict heavy mixed precipitation with snow accumulations of 3 to 10 inches and ice accumulations up to 0.75 inches. Precipitation will transition between snow, sleet, and freezing rain, with the heaviest impacts Sunday afternoon through Monday evening.
Ohio
A winter storm warning is in effect for southwestern Ohio from 10 a.m. Sunday to midnight Monday night, affected Butler, Warren, Clinton, Fairfield, Montgomery, Pickaway, and Ross Counties. Heavy mixed precipitation is expected, with snow and sleet accumulations of 5 to 10 inches and ice up to a 10th of an inch.
Pennsylvania
A winter storm warning is in effect for multiple regions in Pennsylvania from Sunday evening through Monday night. Heavy snow is expected, with accumulations ranging from 4-8 inches in Bedford, Fulton, Somerset, Adams, and Franklin counties, and 3-5 inches in parts of Washington and Westmoreland Counties. In higher elevations, totals may reach 8-14 inches with a chance of ice accumulations. Warnings begin between 7 p.m. and midnight Sunday and extend through 10 p.m. Monday.
Virginia
A winter storm warning is in effect across various parts of Virginia from 4 p.m. Sunday, January 5, to 7 a/m/ Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Accomack County is expected to receive 2–4 inches of snow with wind gusts up to 40 mph. Central Virginia, including Prince Edward and Chesterfield Counties, may see 1–3 inches of snow and sleet with up to 0.2 inches of ice. Northern areas including Louisa County and the Northern Neck could experience 3–7 inches of snow and 0.1–0.2 inches of ice.
West Virginia
A warning is in effect across most of West Virginia, affected central, northern, southern, and western areas from 11 a.m. Sunday to 1 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy mixed precipitation is expected, with snow accumulations ranging from 4 to 10 inches and ice accumulations of up to half an inch. Winds may gust up to 35 mph in some areas. Power outages and tree damage are likely due to significant ice accumulation, and travel conditions could become hazardous or nearly impossible, impacting Monday commutes.
Maryland
Maryland’s Garrett and Allegany counties are under a winter storm warning from 10 p.m. Sunday through 6 a.m. Tuesday. Expected snowfall totals range from 7 to 11 inches, with isolated amounts up to 14 inches possible in heavy bands. Ice accumulations will be minimal but could result in slippery conditions. The warning also applies to areas in Washington and Allegany counties with 6-9 inches of snow forecast. Impacts include hazardous travel and possible power outages, especially during Monday morning and evening commutes.
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C., is under a warning from 10 p.m. Sunday to 1 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy snow is expected, with totals of 5-9 inches and isolated areas receiving up to 12 inches. Snow may mix with sleet on Monday, making travel hazardous.
Delaware
New Castle County is under a warning from 1 a.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy snow, totaling 4–8 inches, will intensify Monday morning with snowfall rates exceeding 1 inch per hour. Travel will be challenging during both Monday commutes, with conditions improving as snow tapers off late Monday night.
New Jersey
A winter storm warning is in effect for Salem, Cumberland, Cape May, and Atlantic Coastal Cape May counties from 1 a.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy snow, with 4–8 inches expected, will intensify Monday morning.
Alaska
The northern Panhandle of Alaska is under winter storm warnings. Skagway and Haines are forecast to receive 7–15 inches of snow, with the heaviest accumulations at higher elevations along the highways. Winds may gust up to 35 mph, creating hazardous travel conditions through noon Monday.
Yakutat will experience an additional 2–4 inches of light, fluffy snow by early Sunday, following intermittent lulls Saturday evening. A warm front moving through the region Sunday into Monday may cause snow to transition to rain, particularly at lower elevations. A separate front will bring additional heavy precipitation Monday night, including rain and high-elevation snow.
Travel and Safety
The NWS urges residents in affected areas to limit travel during severe weather and to carry emergency supplies such as flashlights, food and water. Motorists should prepare for sudden visibility changes, blizzard conditions, and icy roads.
As the winter storm progresses, more updates are expected from local authorities to guide residents and travelers through potentially dangerous conditions.
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