Winter Storm Blair Causes Widespread Disruption Across the US, Claims Lives**

Fri Dec 05 2025 11:28:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Icy weather from Winter Storm Blair leads to emergencies in seven states, widespread power outages, and travel chaos.**

The US faces a major winter storm, resulting in five fatalities, school closures, and significant travel disruptions. Affected states include Maryland, Virginia, Kansas, and more, as residents cope with hazardous conditions.**

A powerful winter storm, dubbed Winter Storm Blair, has gripped large portions of the United States, resulting in tragic fatalities, extensive travel interruptions, and widespread power outages. The storm prompted states like Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky, and Arkansas to declare emergencies in response to the severe conditions.

As the storm raged on, over 2,300 flights were canceled, and nearly 9,000 experienced delays due to the severe weather brought on by a polar vortex of frigid air typically situated around the North Pole. Reports from Poweroutage.us indicated that more than 200,000 people remained without electricity late Monday night across the storm's trajectory. The National Weather Service forecasts continued snow and sleet across much of the northeastern U.S. on Tuesday.

Major federal offices and schools in the Washington DC area were closed as snow accumulations ranged from 5 to 9 inches (13 to 23 cm), with some areas in Maryland and Virginia reporting up to a foot of snow. Local residents took advantage of the weather by participating in a 15-year tradition of snowball fights in front of the Washington Monument, while former Olympic skier Clare Egan enjoyed cross-country skiing along the National Mall.

While the storm caused widespread cancellations and closures, it also led to significant dangers on the roads. In Missouri, 365 vehicular accidents occurred on Sunday alone, resulting in multiple injuries and at least one fatality. Kansas was particularly hit hard, with local news confirming that two individuals were killed in storm-related car crashes. In Texas, authorities reported the death of a person found frozen beside a bus stop, highlighting the severe conditions.

In Virginia, where 300 crashes were recorded in a single night, officials warned against travel due to hazardous conditions. Matthew Cappucci, a senior meteorologist at MyRadar, noted that Kansas City experienced its heaviest snowfall in 32 years. He advised people to refrain from venturing out, emphasizing that the snowy roads left plows and even police vehicles stuck.

As the storm continues to unfold, residents in various affected areas have been urged to remain indoors and avoid travel whenever possible, as the severe weather creates perilous conditions throughout the country.