Upcoming Spell of Harsh Cold and Snow to Impact Southern US
ANNAPOLIS, Md.—On Tuesday, the southern United States braced for another wave of intense cold following the year’s first major winter storm, which hit vast areas with ice, snow, and wind.
This powerful storm system disrupted even the typically milder regions of the South, knocking down trees, posing a freeze threat in Florida, and prompting Dallas residents to rummage through their closets for hats and gloves.
By early Tuesday, the National Weather Service warned that wind chill temperatures could plunge into the teens to low-20s (as low as minus 10.5 C) from Texas through the Gulf Coast. A low-pressure system is anticipated to form near south Texas by Wednesday, which could bring snow to parts of Dallas and regions of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.
The polar vortex that descended southward over the weekend maintained its icy grip on the eastern two-thirds of the country on Monday, leading to hazardous road conditions, numerous school closures, widespread power outages, and significant flight cancellations.
Snow and ice covered major highways in Kansas, western Nebraska, and parts of Indiana, prompting the activation of the National Guard to assist stranded motorists. Winter storm warnings were issued for Kansas and Missouri, where blizzard conditions produced wind gusts reaching 45 mph. These warnings were also in effect for New Jersey early Tuesday.
A truck stop in Kentucky was filled with big rigs redirected from an icy and snow-covered Interstate 75 near Cincinnati. Michael Taylor, a long-haul driver from Los Angeles transporting rugs to Georgia, noted the number of cars and trucks stuck in ditches as he battled icy windshield wipers before exiting the interstate.
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“It was too dangerous. I didn’t want to kill myself or anyone else,” he remarked.
The polar vortex, which usually circles the North Pole, occasionally shifts southward into the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
Temperatures Plummet Across the Nation
The eastern two-thirds of the United States experienced freezing temperatures and biting wind chills on Monday, with many areas seeing temperatures far below the seasonal norm.
A cold weather advisory took effect early Tuesday along the Gulf Coast. Wind chills in Austin, Texas, and nearby cities were projected to plummet to 15 degrees (minus 9.4 C).
The Northeast anticipated several frigid days ahead.
Firefighters with the Louisville Fire Department Quint 9 shovel snow in front of their station in Louisville, Ky., on Jan. 5, 2025. Luke Sharrett/Getty Images
Transportation Has Been Challenging
Numerous car accidents were reported in states like Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, and Kentucky, with a state trooper sustaining non-life-threatening injuries after being struck while in his patrol vehicle.
Virginia State Police responded to over 430 accidents on Sunday and Monday, including one fatal incident. Other deadly weather-related accidents were noted on Sunday in Charleston, West Virginia, and on Monday in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Kansas also faced two lethal crashes over the weekend.
As of Monday evening, more than 2,300 flights were canceled, and another 9,100 were delayed nationwide, according to FlightAware. About 58 percent of arrivals and 70 percent of departures were canceled at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
A record 8 inches of snow fell on Sunday at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, resulting in widespread flight cancellations that persisted into Monday. An additional 4 inches fell on Monday in the Cincinnati area, where accidents involving cars and trucks closed at least two main routes into downtown.
More Snow and Ice Anticipated
Indiana saw snow covering portions of Interstate 64, Interstate 69, and U.S. Route 41, prompting officials to urge residents to stay home.
“It’s snowing so heavily that plow trucks go through, and within thirty minutes the roads are completely covered again,” stated State Police Sgt. Todd Ringle.
The Mid-Atlantic region was forecasted to receive another 6–12 inches of snow on Monday, followed by dangerously cold temperatures with nighttime lows predicted to drop into the single digits (below minus 12.7 C) throughout the Central Plains and into the Mississippi and Ohio valleys.
In North Texas, 2–5 inches of snow were anticipated to begin Thursday, as per the National Weather Service. Snow could also affect Oklahoma and Arkansas, where some areas may see accumulations exceeding 4 inches.
A person walks his dog in view of the Capitol during a winter snow storm in Washington, on Jan. 6, 2025. Matt Rourke/AP Photo
Classes Canceled in Numerous States
Schools across various states, including Indiana, Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri, and Kansas, canceled or delayed the start of classes on Monday. Notably, Jefferson County Public Schools in Kentucky canceled classes and activities for its nearly 100,000 students.
Classes were also scrapped in Maryland, where Governor Wes Moore declared a state of emergency on Sunday, announcing that state government offices would also be closed on Monday. Government offices in Kentucky were similarly closed on Monday after Governor Andy Beshear issued a state of emergency.
Tens of Thousands Left Without Power
As temperatures dropped, many found themselves without electricity. More than 218,000 customers in Kentucky, Indiana, Virginia, West Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, and North Carolina were without power Monday night, according to PowerOutage.us.
A power outage in Virginia’s capital temporarily disrupted the water system, prompting officials to advise the city’s 200,000 residents to avoid drinking tap water or washing dishes unless it had been boiled first. City officials urged residents to conserve water, recommending shorter showers.
City representatives stated that they were working diligently to restore the system.
