Daily Weather Update: High-Impact Winter Storm Set to Hit 12 States
Weather Alert for January 3, 2025: As we usher in the new year, millions across the central and eastern United States are bracing for the first major winter storm of 2025. This high-impact system is projected to bring hazardous snow and ice across a vast area stretching more than 1,500 miles this weekend into early next week.
Storm Overview
The impending winter storm will originate from the Pacific Ocean, moving onshore on Saturday and traversing the Northwest. As it travels eastward, it is expected to deliver significant snowfall to mountainous regions. The impacts will soon extend into the northern Plains, followed by the central Plains, the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, and ultimately the mid-Atlantic states.
Travel disruptions are anticipated due to heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain, making safe travel a top concern for many.
Lake-effect Snow Forecast
In addition to the winter storm, a multiday lake-effect snow event is set to hit parts of New York, potentially burying areas under up to 3 feet of snow. Strong northwesterly winds from a low-pressure system over southeastern Canada will produce persistent lake-effect snow bands downwind of the Great Lakes through the weekend.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, the areas most likely to be heavily impacted include northeastern Ohio, northwest Pennsylvania, and western New York (especially south of Buffalo), extending as far south as the Syracuse metro area.
Colorado Rockslide Incident
In an unrelated weather event, a massive rockslide recently buried a highway in Colorado. Footage captured the dramatic moment as onlookers began to notice the impending danger. One eyewitness, Sierra Wright, reported seeing rocks in the roadway moments before the slide intensified, prompting her and her friend to help direct traffic and inform emergency services.
Stay tuned for updates and stay safe as you navigate the upcoming weather conditions. For more personalized forecasts, tune into the FOX Weather Update podcast for national, regional, and local insights.