Share

Map Shows Winter Storm Warning Issued for 4 States Ahead of Christmas


What’s New

National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists have issued winter storm warnings for four states in the northern U.S. as an Alberta clipper treks eastward.

Why It Matters

Peak Christmas travel is expected to begin on Saturday, according to a report from the American Automobile Association. More than 119 million Americans have 50 miles or more to travel for the holidays this year, the report said, with 107 million Americans traveling by car and nearly 8 million expected to travel by plane.

Winter weather could impede the busy travel season. As of Thursday morning, the biggest weather-related impacts to affect travel were expected in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Map Winter Storm Warning States Christmas
A map from the National Weather Service shows the alerts in place across the U.S. The winter storm warning is shown in pink.

National Weather Service

What to Know

The winter storm-related weather alerts will remain in place until Thursday afternoon in North Dakota and Thursday night for Minnesota. It will stretch into Friday morning for Wisconsin and Michigan.

The Alberta clipper—a fast-moving storm system that originates in western Canada—spurred numerous winter weather alerts across the northern Plains states on Wednesday and has continued to unleash snow and strong winds since. It is expected to continue moving eastward, impacting the Great Lakes region by Thursday night.

Once the storm arrives in the Northeast, it will cause flurries and spotty snow that could contribute to some mild travel impacts.

However, meteorologists have warned of the possibility that energy from the clipper will then transfer to a storm brewing offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. Should that happen, the offshore storm will strengthen and move closer to the coast where it could cause major travel disruption, including airline delays and hazardous conditions on the I-95 corridor that traverses through major East Coast cities such as New York City and Boston.

What People Are Saying

NWS Twin Cities meteorologist Paige Veserat told Newsweek: Parts of Minnesota have already received around 5 inches of snow, with up to another 2 inches expected. “We are keeping our eye on [another system] potentially on Sunday into Monday (…) But not as much moisture will be available, so we are not expecting any significant snow amounts with that one.”

The Green Bay, Wisconsin, NWS office in a winter storm warning: “Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact the evening commute. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

The Bismarck, North Dakota, NWS office in a post on X: “The winter storm will continue today [Thursday]. Falling snow will end around noon CT. Strong winds will continue through the day, leading to reduced visibilities from blowing snow.”

What Happens Next

Meteorologists will have a better idea on how the clipper will behave as it reaches the Northeast later on Thursday.

Stormy weather warning is in place on the opposite side of the nation as multiple atmospheric rivers take aim at the West Coast.



Source link