Strong winter storm to hit large portions of the US with snow, rain, and powerful winds
A strong winter storm was moving eastward from the Plains on Sunday, propelled by what meteorologists label as a potent cyclone that is projected to affect a vast area of the US with a combination of snow, ice, rain, and intense winds. “Some areas of the storm system are experiencing heavy snowfall, while other regions along the cold front are facing stronger winds and significantly lower temperatures as the front moves through,” stated Bob Oravec, a leading forecaster at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in College Park, Maryland. “All elements are interconnected – different areas will encounter various impacts from this storm.” Snowfall and increasing winds began spreading across the upper Midwest on Sunday, where the NWS cautioned about whiteout and potential blizzard conditions that could render travel impossible in certain locations. Accumulation totals were predicted to surpass a foot in parts of the upper Great Lakes, with as much as 2ft (60cm) possible along Lake Superior’s southern shore.
In the southern regions, meteorologists issued alerts for severe thunderstorms expected to herald the approach of a sharp cold front – often called a “Blue Norther” – which would result in a rapid drop in temperatures and strong northern winds that will conclude days of record warmth in the area. The snowy holiday season in the upper Midwest and Northeast coincides with spring-like warmth persisting in much of the nation’s central and southern areas, where record high temperatures had Santa feeling the heat in recent days. The forecast for Atlanta predicts a high near 72F (22C) on Sunday, continuing an upward trend after reaching 78F (about 26C), thereby breaking the city’s record high for Christmas Eve, according to the NWS. Many other record high temperatures were recorded throughout the south and Midwest shortly after Christmas.
However, forecasters indicate that this record warmth is swiftly coming to an end. A cold front is predicted to bring rain to a large part of the south late Sunday night into Monday, resulting in significantly colder temperatures by Tuesday. This sudden shift is expected to lower the temperature in Atlanta to 25F (-3.9C) by early Tuesday morning. The cooler conditions in the south are anticipated to persist through New Year’s Day. In Dallas, Sunday temperatures in the lower 80s (upper 20s C) may plunge to the mid-40s (single digits Celsius). In Little Rock, high temperatures reaching around 70F (21C) on Sunday could descend to highs in the mid-30s on Monday. “We’re certainly reverting to a more winter-like pattern,” Oravec remarked.
Over the next 48 hours, the cyclone is predicted to generate heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions in the Midwest and Great Lakes, freezing rain in New England, thunderstorms across the eastern US and south, as well as widespread strong winds. As it progresses eastward, the storm is expected to strengthen, drawing energy from a sharp conflict between the frigid air surging south from Canada and the unusually warm air that has lingered in the southern US, according to the NWS. This follows thousands of flight delays and cancellations across the Northeast and Great Lakes regions earlier this weekend due to snowfall, as many traveled the roads and airports during the busy period between Christmas and New Year’s. Meanwhile, on the opposite coast, California was enjoying a relatively dry weekend following intense storms that hit the state, leading to heavy rains, flash floods, and mudslides. At least four fatalities were reported, including a man who was discovered dead on Friday in a partially submerged vehicle near Lancaster, according to the Los Angeles County sheriff’s department.
Published: 2025-12-28 21:11:00
source: www.theguardian.com
