A powerful and deadly winter storm that spread thousands of miles across the United States and hit major cities from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic has finally come to an end.
But authorities are warning residents not to let their guard down as crews continue to clear roads and restore power after heavy snow and ice.
After hitting the West Coast, the storm began spreading across the United States, spawning the first tornado of the year in California.
Then, over the weekend, winter weather moved into the Plains and Midwest, with a snowstorm at Kansas City International Airport and sleet and freezing rain causing numerous crashes across the region from Kansas to Missouri to the Ohio Valley. .
At least seven people are believed to have died in the storm in several states, including one child.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol said a 33-year-old driver died after exiting his vehicle on Interstate 29 in Mount City. The car began to slide and struck the 33-year-old victim from Nebraska.
Another death was reported in Missouri after a 61-year-old public works worker was struck while clearing snow in Jackson County, MSHP said. Snow removal operations were temporarily suspended Sunday due to the incident and resumed Monday morning.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Everett Carter, who dedicated 40 years of service to Jackson County, including the past eight years on our public works team,” Jackson County officials said in a statement.
In Kansas, two people were killed in a crash southwest of Wichita during the winter storm. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) A vehicle traveling on Interstate 235 spun out of control and left the roadway.
Also in Kansas, a 28-year-old Dodge City man was killed Saturday in Ford County when his trailer swerved on an icy road and the victim's car collided with the tractor-trailer.
on monday, the investigator said A Dodge City man was killed when his car backed up as he tried to steer his car out of a parking lot covered in snowdrifts near the intersection of K-156 and I-70.
In Illinois, one boy is dead and another is being treated for life-threatening injuries after a snow tube crash in Macon County, authorities said.
Officials say a man was driving an ATV with two boys inside an inner tube during a turn in the snow when the tube slipped and hit a large rock.
The storm pummeled the Mid-Atlantic states on Monday, disrupting travel and daily life and causing widespread power outages.
Power outages also occurred throughout the region. As of Tuesday morning, PowerOutage.US More than 167,000 power outages were reported in parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia.
In Richmond, power outages caused by the winter storm crippled the city's water system. Residents are under a boil water advisory and urged to conserve water.
After a lull in snow Monday afternoon, another round moved into the area Monday night.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Management warned residents not to let their guard down when the weather turns.
“This reduced rainfall has allowed road crews to continue working to keep roads passable, but remaining moisture on roads could cause temperatures to drop below freezing and cause refreezing. “VDEM chief spokesperson Jason Elmore said. “Please limit your travel unless absolutely necessary. This weather event is not over yet, so please do not lull yourself into a false sense of security.”
Washington declares a snow emergency. Maryland is under a state of emergency
Ahead of the storm, the governors of several states, including Maryland, declared states of emergency and called for action to ensure safety due to dangerous driving conditions on roads and highways throughout the region. Residents were warned to stay at home if possible.
“Keeping Marylanders safe is our top priority. Stay off the roads during this storm. Prepare your home and family for power outages and charge your communication devices.” and Maryland Governor Wes Moore stated in a statement.
Moore said the state shut down on Monday.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a snow emergency Tuesday until at least the end of the day. The declaration ordered vehicles not to park on snowy emergency roads, and pre-treatment of roads was scheduled to begin Sunday night.
Schools in Washington, D.C., were also closed Monday as the winter storm approaches. The school district announced Monday night that it would also cancel all classes Tuesday.
A joint session of Congress was held Monday to certify the 2024 election results, which were not affected by the storm. Additionally, President Jimmy Carter's state funeral will continue as scheduled from Tuesday through Thursday.
In Delaware, state offices will be closed on Monday. Governor John Carney said: He dispatched the Delaware National Guard to assist as needed.
Winter storms cause dangerous travel on roads. Major airports are also affected
Officials are warning residents across the country, from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic, to stay off the roads if possible, including parts of busy Interstate 95.
The Maryland Department of Transportation (DOT) urged motorists to reduce their speeds if they must travel and to avoid crowding DOT workers who have been pre-clearing roads since Sunday.
The Virginia Department of Transportation said road conditions began deteriorating Sunday and remained dangerous into Monday.
Alex Liggitt, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Transportation, told FOX Weather on Monday morning that crews were busy pre-treating roads, but urged people to stay off the roads if possible.
“We did about 2,000 lane miles of full brining here,” he said. “Right now, where I'm at is in the Northern Virginia area, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, Prince William County and also Arlington County outside of Washington, D.C. And you know, we're in full push mode.”
Liggitt said more than 3,000 pieces of equipment are in operation to remove snow and ice from Virginia roads.
“All we are asking residents is to stay off the roads and not to travel,” he said. “You know, it's essential. If it's absolutely necessary, do it with extreme caution and slowly.”
The dangerous winter storm also wreaked havoc at major airports in the Washington, Baltimore and Philadelphia areas.
According to flight awareHundreds of cancellations were reported at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Philadelphia (PHL) International Airport. Ta.
Reagan International Airlines has closed all runways Monday evening so crews could clear the snow.
Numerous delays were also reported at major airports in the Midwest, including St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), Kansas City International Airport (MCI), and Indianapolis International Airport (IND).
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) also reported delays and cancellations early Monday due to snow in the area.
Passengers were warned of potential travel delays at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) due to a mid-Atlantic winter storm.
Amtrak also said it had adjusted its train schedules because of the storm. According to officialssome trains between Boston and Washington, as well as numerous trains in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, were suspended.
How much snow fell during the winter storm?
The image below shows some of the top U.S. snowfall totals from the first major winter storm of 2025.
