Powerful Winter Storm Brings Snow, Ice, Rain, and Strong Winds Across the US
A powerful winter storm is sweeping east from the Plains, driven by an intense cyclone, expected to bring a variety of severe weather conditions across much of the United States.
According to NWS forecaster Bob Oravec, different parts of the storm will produce different effects. Heavy snow and strengthening winds are anticipated in the upper Midwest with possible whiteout and blizzard conditions. Snow totals could exceed 12 inches across parts of the upper Great Lakes, with up to 24 inches possible along the south shore of Lake Superior.
In the South, a sharp cold front combined with thunderstorms is forecast to bring a rapid temperature drop and strong north winds. Atlanta, which was near 72°F (22°C) on Sunday after a record warmth of 78°F (26°C) on Christmas Eve, is expected to see temperatures fall to about 25°F (-3.9°C) by Tuesday and remain cold through New Year’s Day. The cold front will also bring rain to much of the South late Sunday night into Monday.
Over the next 48 hours, the cyclone is expected to produce heavy snow and blizzard conditions in the Midwest and Great Lakes, freezing rain in New England, thunderstorms across the Eastern US and South, and widespread strong winds.
This storm has already caused thousands of flight delays and cancellations, along with heavy travel disruptions across the Northeast and Great Lakes during the Christmas–New Year period.
Meanwhile, California faces a relatively dry weekend after previous storms that brought heavy rains, flash floods, and mudslides. At least four people have died, including a man found dead in a partially submerged car near Lancaster.
