Meteorologists from AccuWeather are warning that two storms are set to impact parts of the Midwest and Northeast with snow, wintry mix, and hazardous travel conditions through Friday. Additionally, a potential third storm developing in the Atlantic is being closely monitored for potential trouble.
The wintry side of the storms is expected to result in slippery travel conditions, particularly in the northern parts of the central and interior northeastern United States. The possibility of a coastal storm evolving to its full potential on Friday evening could lead to slippery conditions and major airline delays in the busy Interstate 95 Northeast corridor.
A weak storm that passed through the Northeast on Monday night, accompanied by a push of chilly air, is likely to bring snow and wintry mix from northern Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to northern New England and adjacent provinces in Canada from Wednesday to Wednesday night.
Snow accumulations ranging from a coating to a slushy inch are possible from northern Indiana to central New England, with a general 1-3 inches expected from Saginaw Bay, Michigan, to northern New England. Higher snow totals, up to 6 inches in some areas, are forecasted for the Adirondack, Green Mountains, and White Mountains regions.
The same storm is expected to bring drenching rain from northeastern Texas and northern Louisiana to parts of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and New England. Rainfall amounts of 0.50 to 1 inch are anticipated in this region, with locally higher amounts possible.
Aside from travel disruptions, the rain is expected to be beneficial for alleviating long-term drought concerns and replenishing topsoil moisture. Following the midweek storm, a colder storm originating from western Canada, known as an Alberta clipper, will move southeastward and bring light to moderate snowfall across parts of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and southern Ontario.
Overall, the upcoming storms are expected to bring a mix of snow, wintry mix, and rain to various regions, impacting travel and providing much-needed moisture in areas experiencing drought conditions.
The wintry weather is set to impact a large portion of the Midwest and Northeast, stretching from north-central Wisconsin to Green Bay. Both Minneapolis and Fargo, North Dakota, may see substantial snowfall, with accumulations ranging from half a foot to a foot. Meanwhile, Milwaukee and Detroit are expected to receive 1-3 inches of snow overnight on Thursday. In the Chicago metro area, snowfall is anticipated to vary, with a light coating projected south of the city and 1-3 inches likely from downtown and northward. These conditions are expected to cause significant travel disruptions in the region.
Steering winds, represented by the jet stream, will propel a clipper system swiftly from the Northeast on Thursday night into Friday night. As the clipper storm approaches the Atlantic coast later on Friday and into Friday night, a weather transformation is expected to occur. The speed at which the clipper system’s energy transfers to a developing coastal storm will significantly impact the intensity, duration, and amount of snowfall across the mid-Atlantic coast, central Appalachians, and into New England, according to AccuWeather Senior Director of Forecasting Operations Dan DePodwin.
Initially, the clipper component of the storm is forecasted to generate intermittent snow and flurries from the eastern Great Lakes to the coastal Northeast, resulting in light accumulations, primarily over elevated terrain with minimal accumulation along most coastal areas. However, a rapid energy transfer could result in more substantial snowfall, ranging from a period of snow and minor accumulation to several inches and substantial travel disruptions.
In the event that a storm intensifies quickly and tracks along the coast, slippery travel conditions may be experienced in areas like the New York metropolitan region, while Boston and much of central and eastern New England could face a full-fledged snowstorm from late Friday into early Saturday. Following the passage of the clipper and coastal storm tandem, gusty winds will pick up, ushering in colder air across the Northeast. This setup is poised to bring the coldest temperatures of the season thus far, potentially leading to discomfort and increasing the risk of frostbite or hypothermia for those spending time outdoors without adequate protection.
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