A Massive Storm System Will Bring Both Wintry and Severe Weather to Millions of Americans
A massive storm is expected to bring both wintry and severe weather to millions of Americans as early as this weekend, AccuWeather meteorologists warn.
Over a Dozen States Will Be Impacted
“Over a dozen states are forecast to be impacted by one or more aspects of this storm,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham.
The storm emerging from the Rockies late on Saturday is forecast to deliver a far-reaching swath of ice and snow across the middle of the country while rain and thunderstorms spread across the southern tier of the United States.
Wintry Weather Expected in the Plains
The intrusion of bitterly cold, Arctic air into the middle of the country will set the stage for wintry weather in the Plains, starting on Saturday. Snowflakes could fly as far south as northern Oklahoma. Meanwhile, enough snow to shovel and plow will extend for about 1,000 miles from central Nebraska to Ohio through early Monday.
Significant Snow Accumulation Expected
“The accumulating snow, which could approach or exceed a half of a foot is expected to bring travel to a stand still in places like Kansas City, St. Louis, Indianapolis and Cincinnati,” said Buckingham.
An AccuWeather Local StormMax of 30 inches is most likely to occur somewhere from northeastern Kansas through northern Missouri to west-central Illinois.
Ice and Freezing Rain Expected in Some Areas
Just to the south, parts of Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana are forecast to experience ice mixing with snow during the storm, which can limit the amount of total snow accumulation. A difficult battle between warm and cold air will determine exactly how much snow, versus ice, falls in some areas like Kansas City and St. Louis in Missouri.
Freezing Rain Event Expected to Unfold
“A major freezing rain event is expected to unfold, making for dangerous ice accretions across the northern Ozarks, middle Mississippi Valley and Ohio Valley this weekend,” Buckingham said.
Communities from Springfield, Missouri, to Lexington, Kentucky, could be in for a substantial amount of ice that brings dangerous travel conditions. Additionally, this much ice can weigh down tree limbs, increasing the chance for tree damage and resulting power outages.
Severe Thunderstorms Expected in the South
Some of the same states still reeling from last weekend’s severe weather will once again need to watch for severe thunderstorms with the coming storm.
Damaging Wind Gusts and Tornadoes Possible
“A line of thunderstorms is expected to develop across eastern Texas Sunday afternoon, strengthening as they move into Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama through Sunday night,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Gwen Fieweger.
Fieweger also warns that many storms in the Interstate 10 and 20 corridors could bring damaging wind gusts, hail and flooding downpours, but a few thunderstorms may also be capable of producing a few tornadoes.
East Coast to Be Impacted on Sunday and Monday
After dumping snow and ice across the center of the country, portions of the East Coast will be next to endure the winter weather.
Significant Snow Accumulation Expected in Mid-Atlantic
“Residents and visitors across the mid-Atlantic states are also in line to deal with the first winter storm in quite some time, posing a major risk to travel between Sunday night and Monday evening,” Buckingham warned.
Accumulating snow is expected to reach as far north as central Pennsylvania and extend southward through northern Virginia. Major metro areas such as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., can expect several inches of accumulation.
Higher Terrain to See Higher Snow Totals
“The western suburbs of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., could have snowfall totals nearing half a foot by the end of the storm,” said Buckingham. The higher terrain in West Virginia and western Maryland are the most likely to see totals near the AccuWeather Local StormMax of 15 inches.
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