On January 2, 2025, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a forecast that warned of an approaching major winter storm expected to impact several regions of the continental United States, describing it as a "brutal mess".

[8] The system itself originated in the Northeast Pacific Ocean, and first made landfall during the afternoon on January 3 along the West Coast of the United States.

[13] On 4 January, Governor of Kentucky Andy Beshear issued a state of emergency in anticipation of dangerous road conditions, widespread power outages, and sustained freezing temperatures.

[14] The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet issued warnings for residents to avoid road travel due to projected hazardous conditions brought on by freezing rain and icing.

[22] The NWS issued winter storm warnings for Northern Virginia, central Maryland, and the Washington D.C. area at 3:54 pm EST on 4 January,[23] with the predicted impact extending over 2,100 miles (3,400 kilometers).

The winter storm also brought heavy snow and strong winds to the northern California region, and produced quarter-size hail at higher elevations.

[4] Travel advisories were issued in Montana due to heavy snowfall in mountainous areas in conjunction with strong wind gusts.

[30][31] Governor of Kansas Laura Kelly issued a state of disaster emergency amid the storm's precipitation causing several traffic collisions and road closures.

[34][35] On 5 January, a woman was found dead in Kansas City after being reported missing the prior day as severe winter weather impacted the region.

[36] The Kansas Highway Patrol reported that one person was killed and another injured due to road icing, after their vehicle collided with a jackknifed trailer while driving eastbound on U.S. Route 56.

[38] On 6 January, the Maryland State Police reported that they had received 475 service calls between 1 AM EST to midday, which included 156 unattended vehicles and 123 crashes.

[40] Virginia State Police reported 248 crashes requiring their response, noting that not all accidents were necessarily related to the winter storm.