UPDATE: Approximately 72 million Americans are bracing for severe winter weather as powerful winds and snowstorms threaten to disrupt holiday travel plans this weekend. Wind alerts are in effect from the High Plains and Rocky Mountains to the Northeast, with gusts potentially reaching 60 mph in several locations, according to AccuWeather.
A massive coast-to-coast weather system is sweeping eastward, impacting areas from the northern Great Lakes down to the Southeast. The most intense gusts are expected to batter regions across Appalachia, New England, and coastal Maine, while rain and wind will continue to pummel communities from Washington, D.C. to Boston until late evening.
Travelers on the West Coast, particularly in California, should prepare for significant disruptions during Christmas week. After dodging the brutal storms that recently flooded the Northwest, California is now bracing for a series of storms bringing heavy downpours starting this weekend. Urban flooding, small-stream overflows, and potential river flooding are anticipated, with lower and mid-level areas expecting several inches of rain.
As conditions worsen, airports in the Northeast may face significant delays due to lake-effect snow blanketing the region. A “clipper storm” is projected to impact parts of the Upper Midwest and Northeast from Monday to Tuesday. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty warns that Tuesday could be the most challenging day for weather-related travel disruptions, particularly affecting regions from northern Pennsylvania through upstate New York and into central and northern New England.
In the Sierra Nevada and the Cascades, multiple feet of snow are expected in higher elevations, with snow levels dipping low enough to impede travel, according to AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno.
While the weekend forecast looks calmer aside from lingering winds and snow in the Great Lakes area, states avoiding the wintry blast are on track for one of the warmest Christmases ever recorded. Temperatures could soar into the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit, breaking daily records from Texas to Missouri and Georgia on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
New Yorkers hoping for a snowy Christmas may be disappointed as the holiday is expected to be dry and mild, with temperatures in the mid-40s. A slight chance of light snowfall exists early next week, but any accumulation is likely to melt before Christmas, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist John Feerick. “A white Christmas in New York City is quite rare,” he noted, citing that the last significant snowfall on Christmas Day occurred in 2002.
As millions prepare for travel, it is crucial to stay updated on the latest weather developments and adjust plans accordingly. This evolving situation highlights the urgent need for travelers to remain vigilant to avoid disruptions during this holiday season.
