Massive winter storm is impacting millions of Americans with extreme snow, ice and severe weather

A powerful winter storm is sweeping across the U.S., bringing heavy snow, crippling ice and severe weather, shaping up to be potentially the most impactful of the season for many.

The first significant winter storm of 2025 is sweeping across a massive 2,100-mile stretch of the country, from the Plains to the East Coast. This powerful system is bringing a dangerous mix of heavy snow, blizzard conditions and crippling ice, threatening major metropolitan areas and millions of residents. Track this storm LIVE on our blog.

With inclement conditions spanning multiple states, the storm is causing significant travel conditions, widespread power outages and major disruptions in daily life, making it one of the most impactful winter events in recent years.

Blizzard conditions are hammering parts of Kansas and Missouri, with cities like Wichita and Kansas City experiencing near-zero visibility and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph. The extreme weather has triggered Blizzard Warnings in areas unaccustomed to such conditions in recent years, straining emergency resources and making travel nearly impossible.

South of the heavy snow, an ice storm is creating additional havoc, with up to an inch of ice forecast from southern Missouri through West Virginia. The accumulation is expected to bring down trees and power lines, potentially leaving some areas without electricity for days.

Meanwhile, snowfall totals could reach up to a foot in parts of Illinois, Ohio and West Virginia, with some parts of Kansas and Missouri surpassing 15 inches, making it the heaviest snowstorm in a decade. Cities such as St. Louis, Louisville, and Kansas City could see 5–8 inches, while Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia may get 3–6 inches through Monday.

On the storm's southern edge, severe thunderstorms are sweeping across the Deep South, with parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas under a heightened tornado risk. The National Weather Service has issued a Level 3 out of 5 alert for the region, which is still recovering from a recent post-Christmas tornado outbreak, as strong winds and the possibility of more tornadoes loom.

States of emergency have been declared in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky and Virginia as the storm causes widespread power outages and dangerous travel conditions, including closures on I-70 in Kansas. Airlines are accommodating travelers, but thousands of flights have been delayed or canceled.