Winter Storm Warning Announced for 12 Inches of Added Snow, Dangerous 55 mph Winds
Holiday travel is still peaking, and just when you thought this season wouldn't have much more snow or cold, on Monday, Dec. 29, the National Weather Service (NWS) announced added winter weather warnings for the U.S. for both heavy snow and winds.
According to research from the NWS, a powerful storm is making its way across the U.S. through Monday evening, bringing a "bomb cyclone" with blizzard conditions, ice, flooding rain and strong winds, running from Wisconsin to Maine. This storm system is also expected to impact the Upper Midwest and bring blizzard conditions to areas of Wisconsin and Michigan, with 12 or more inches of additional show and strong wind gusts of more than 35 mph.
As the New Year approaches, the NWS has issued additional winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories impacting multiple states. Make note, because these warnings will impact New Years travel.
Winter Storm Warnings for More Than 12 Inches of Snow
The areas of the country expected to get more than a foot of snow include the Upper Midwest, especially in Wisconsin and Michigan.
"Snow and blowing and drifting snow will continue today with the highest snowfall expected this morning into the early afternoon," the NWS in Grand Rapids, Michigan, stated on Monday, Dec. 29. Expect snow covered roadways with visibilities down to 1/2 mile or less at times."
As for windy conditions, "Winds increase from the west gusting 40 to 50 mph then from the northwest Monday morning," The NWS in Grand Rapids added. "Gusts peak in the 45 to 55 mph range Monday afternoon. Expect hazardous travel conditions with power outages possible."
According to research from AccuWeather, "Blizzard conditions are expected in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan, with snow totals reaching 12 inches or more, combined with wind gusts of at least 35 mph, reducing visibility to below one-quarter mile for several hours." They add that travel may be "impossible in open areas, particularly near Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Marquette, Michigan."
Other Areas of the Country Getting Hit With Snow, Winds
Other areas bracing for snow and wind include the Midwest to the Atlantic Coast, with 40 to 6o mph winds expected early in the week. The winds have cause disruptions at Chicago-O'Hare and the New York City area airports.
In cases where the snow has stopped, the winds are expected to continue, causing drifting snow. "Strong wind gusts will continue into the afternoon along with some non-accumulating flurries," the NWS in Chicago said on Monday, Dec. 29.
Lake effect snow is also impacting areas of the U.S. "The most significant additional accumulations are expected in western and northern Michigan, northwestern Pennsylvania and the Tug Hill Plateau of upstate New York," researchers at AccuWeather note.
Meanwhile, the southern side of the storm also sprung severe weather, with tornadoes reported in Illinois and strong winds causing damage in Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio.
"This has been a powerful and dangerous winter storm," Brandon Buckingham, AccuWeather meteorologist, said in a statement provided to Men's Journal. "Blizzard conditions swept across parts of the Midwest over the weekend. Hundreds of crashes and spinouts were reported on snowy roads."