Winter Storm Blair has made a grand entrance into the mid-Atlantic region, bringing with it a blanket of accumulating snow that has triggered winter storm warnings for millions of residents. The storm’s journey began by burying parts of the Plains under their heaviest snowfall in years before advancing towards the Ohio Valley and eventually reaching cities like Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Reports from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. indicate moderate to heavy snowfall, reducing visibility to half a mile or less during the early hours of the morning. By afternoon, there may be a temporary lull in snowfall before another round is expected to arrive in the evening. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport had recorded 5.5 inches of snow by 1 p.m., while some areas between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore have witnessed 6 to 8 inches of accumulated snow.
Moving westward, Cincinnati has seen an impressive total of 10.4 inches from Winter Storm Blair. Meanwhile, Kansas City experienced its heaviest snowstorm since February 1993 with an accumulation of 11 inches, whereas Topeka saw its fourth-largest two-day snowfall at 14.1 inches.
Northeast Kansas was hit hardest by Winter Storm Blair with locations reporting up to 18 inches of snowfall. The storm’s impact extended across multiple states as winter storm warnings were issued for cities like Baltimore, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Louisville, and Washington, D.C., urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve.
The genesis of Winter Storm Blair traces back to its formation as a cyclone in the Pacific Northwest on January 3rd before embarking on a path that led it through various regions including the Rockies and Plains. The storm intensified as it progressed inland causing disruptions such as freezing rain that impeded travel in parts of Kansas and Missouri.
Central Kansas witnessed thunderstorms coupled with freezing rain and sleet while eastern regions stretching up to the Ohio Valley were coated in ice and snow causing interstate closures and power outages affecting thousands of customers.
Blizzard-like conditions were observed in several locations including Topeka, Dodge City, Salina in Kansas; Russell; Gardner; St. Joseph in Missouri; along with near-blizzard conditions experienced by Kansas City residents.
In conclusion, Winter Storm Blair left a trail of heavy snowfall across various states impacting travel plans and daily routines for many individuals within these regions.
