A storm is expected to bring wintry weather and travel disruptions ahead of Christmas Day in the Great Lakes and Northeast regions, including cities like Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., according to AccuWeather meteorologists. Heavy snow is forecasted for the northern areas, with a mix of snow and ice expected further south. This will likely lead to travel hazards, road delays, and airline disruptions due to deicing operations at major travel hubs.
The bulk of the wintry mix is forecasted to pass north of Chicago, with some spotty precipitation expected around the metro area as temperatures hover just above freezing. Snowfall is expected around Detroit, with up to an inch of accumulation, although melting is likely on city roads due to above-freezing temperatures. Secondary roads outside the city may be slippery, especially as temperatures drop in the evening hours.
Northern Michigan is expected to receive heavy snowfall of 6-12 inches from the storm. The upcoming snow and ice event follows the coldest morning in two years for much of the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic regions and since early February 2023 in eastern New England. Slippery road conditions are anticipated in the central Appalachians and eastern Great Lakes regions, with snowfall expected across Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and northern New England.
While the snowfall will benefit skiers in the region, motorists should be prepared for potentially slippery travel in the central and northern Appalachians and eastern Great Lakes. The storm’s moisture reaching the coast may lead to slippery and dangerous conditions, particularly in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City during the Tuesday rush hour.
In summary, the storm is expected to bring wintry weather conditions and travel disruptions to the Great Lakes and Northeast regions, requiring caution and preparedness for potentially hazardous road conditions.
The roads will be wet once treated during the midday hours. In Boston, periods of snow are forecast to begin late Monday night and continue through the midday hours on Tuesday. Accumulations of a coating to an inch are expected. Similar conditions are anticipated around New York City, where, once roads are treated, they should be mostly wet during the midday hours within the city limits. However, in the hilly areas outside the city where more snow is likely to fall, roads may remain slippery until the storm departs in the afternoon.
Following the storm, the weather is expected to be relatively calm and conducive to travel for the evening hours on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day from the eastern Great Lakes to the Northeast. No significant lake-effect snow is projected to ensue after the storm clears. Nevertheless, any areas that retain wetness by the end of Tuesday could freeze over Tuesday night if left untreated.
A potent storm is poised to deliver drenching rain and potentially severe thunderstorms to portions of the south-central United States on Christmas Day. Current indications suggest that while some rain and wintry precipitation may extend northward into parts of the Upper Midwest, it is expected to be sporadic and light.
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