Winter storms are set to bring snow, freezing rain, and Arctic cold to various parts of the United States this week. Around 29 million people are under winter alerts in the central Plains, Midwest, Ohio Valley, and mid-Atlantic ahead of these two storms.
The first storm is expected to form in the central Plains, bringing rain and light icing to states like Oklahoma and Arkansas. By Tuesday, it will transition to moderate snowfall from Kentucky to Maryland. The mid-Atlantic region could see significant snow accumulation, with 3 to 6 inches expected and locally higher amounts possible. Meanwhile, cities like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City are preparing for snow and icy conditions.
The southern side of the storm system will experience heavy rain in the South on Tuesday and Wednesday. The National Weather Service has identified a slight risk of excessive rainfall, particularly in parts of the southern Plains and the lower Mississippi Valley, leading to concerns about localized flooding.
In addition to the precipitation, Arctic cold air will bring temperatures well below average to the northern Rockies and northern high Plains. Areas like Boulder, Colorado, and Bismarck, North Dakota, are bracing for bitterly cold temperatures.
The second storm is expected to bring light snow to Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas on Tuesday night, followed by moderate to heavy snowfall from Kansas to Michigan on Wednesday. Major metro areas in the Midwest, such as Kansas City, Des Moines, Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit, could see accumulating snow.
As the storm progresses, it will move toward Canada, leaving snow in northern New England and rain along the Interstate 95 corridor from Boston to Raleigh, North Carolina. There is also a chance of strong to severe storms in parts of the Southeast on Thursday.
Residents in central/eastern Oklahoma, the Ozarks, and the central Appalachians are advised to be cautious due to the potential for freezing rain and icy conditions. Travel is expected to be hazardous, particularly during the Tuesday evening commute.
These storms follow a significant winter weather event that impacted the Midwest and Northeast over the weekend, adding to the challenges faced by communities across the country.
Over the weekend, the Northeast experienced significant snowfall, turning much of the region into a winter wonderland. New York City’s iconic Central Park was transformed into a picturesque scene with a light dusting of fresh powder, mirroring the snowy backdrop that adorned Boston’s skyline. Boston Logan International Airport reported a total of 5.5 inches of snow accumulation within a 24-hour period by the time Sunday evening rolled around. The wintry weather conditions also brought about various travel difficulties, with reports of multiple crashes on icy roads across several states. Additionally, over 3,000 domestic flights were delayed on Sunday alone, as documented by the travel monitoring service FlightAware.com.
