A powerful winter storm is currently disrupting holiday travel across the United States. This storm is affecting the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast regions, with severe weather conditions expected to persist through Tuesday.
Storm Overview
The National Weather Service (NWS) has reported that Arctic air will descend on the Plains starting Sunday. This will be accompanied by significant snowfall across the upper Midwest and Great Lakes from Sunday night into Monday.
- Forecasted Snowfall: Over a foot of snow is anticipated in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
- Lake-effect Snow: Western New York and Northwest Pennsylvania may see additional snowfall.
Impact on Travel
The storm has already caused disruptions in major metropolitan areas. New York City experienced nearly 8 inches of snow from Friday to Saturday. This has resulted in traffic snarls along the I-95 corridor and significant delays in air travel.
- Flight Delays: More than 1,000 flight delays were reported on Saturday evening.
- Flight Cancellations: Nearly 1,000 flights were cancelled across the United States as of Saturday evening.
Warnings and Conditions
The NWS is emphasizing the risk of dangerous ice accumulations in various areas. Eastern New York, southern Connecticut, and parts of Massachusetts could experience ice accumulation of up to a quarter of an inch.
Bitter wind chills are also expected, with temperatures feeling as cold as -35 degrees Fahrenheit in North Dakota. Northern Minnesota could see wind chill factors drop to -25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Comparative Weather Trends
In contrast, parts of the South and the Tennessee Valley are forecasted to experience unusually warm weather, with temperatures potentially reaching the 70s—a stark difference from the winter storm conditions in the north.
This winter storm is a significant weather event, highlighting the contrasts in climate across the country during the holiday season.
