Welcome to FOX Weather’s daily weather update. It’s Thursday, January 2, 2025. Start your day with everything you need to know about today’s weather. Get quick updates on national, regional and local weather at any time with the FOX Weather Update podcast.

Severe winter storm brings heavy snow and dangerous ice from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic

A severe winter storm is expected to bring a significant amount of wintry weather across the central and eastern U.S. this weekend and early next week, and significant travel impacts are possible.

Forecasters say confidence in the storm is increasing, but there is still some uncertainty about the timing and direction in which it moves east. Starting Thursday, the heaviest snowfall is likely in the central Plains and mid-Mississippi Valley, while a severe ice storm is possible across the mid-south from Kansas to the Tennessee Valley.

This graphic shows the snow and ice potential of a major winter storm starting this weekend.

(FOX Weather)

The eastern United States is being hit by blasts of dangerous Arctic air

The new year is off to a dangerously cold start as millions of Americans live in the eastern half of the year US Prepare to be hit by blasts of icy arctic air that are expected to drop temperatures as far south as possible Florida And Texas.

By this weekend, more than 225 million Americans will experience below-average temperatures, but things will only get worse from there. The FOX Forecast Center said the coldest air of the season, accompanied by a dangerous wind chill, is expected next week, with subfreezing temperatures expected as far away as the Gulf Coast.

This graphic shows the temperature outlook as of January 9, 2025.

(FOX Weather)

‘Severe’ geomagnetic storm brings northern lights to Alaska

The people of Alaska rang in the New Year with fireworks under the Northern Lights. Sky watchers were disappointed Monday evening when the northern lights were not visible after NASA satellites recorded recent solar flare activity.

But Mother Nature had even better timing, as viewing conditions were much more favorable on New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day in the 49th state.

Solar storms are assessed by NOAA Space weather Prediction Center (SWPC) on a five-point scalewith five being the most extreme and rare Space weather Conditions. Level 4 out of 5 or “severe” geomagnetic storm conditions were observed Wednesday afternoon.

This image shows the Northern Lights in Sitka, Alaska, on Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

(FOX Weather)

Watch: Coast Guard rescues two men south of Puerto Rico after boat runs out of fuel and capsizes

Two men were rescued off the coast of Puerto Rico last weekend after the U.S. Coast Guard said their boat ran out of fuel and capsized.

Officials said they responded to a good Samaritan call and 911 calls from the two men who had run out of fuel. When the men were found, the Coast Guard said the boat capsized after taking on water from a wave in 6- to 8-foot swells and winds between 28 and 35 miles per hour.

According to the Coast Guard, the men were successfully rescued and remained uninjured.

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