Topline
A winter storm will bring continued cold temperatures, snow, ice and wind to much of the country this week, with parts of the South potentially getting six inches of snow and parts of the Mid-Atlantic region getting around eight inches, according to the National Weather Service.
A view from the streets as heavy snow blankets the several US states in South Jersey, United States … [+]
Key Facts
The winter storm is expected to go from the central Plains to the Mid-Mississippi Valley through Tuesday before moving to the southern Mid-Atlantic area on Wednesday, at which point snow will accumulate and some areas will see sleet and freezing rain, the NWS reported.
Much of the Plains will see record cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills, while the East will see below-average temperatures.
The NWS warned temperatures will drop “well below zero” in Montana, the Dakotas and the upper Midwest, with morning temperatures forecast in the -30s near the Canadian border through Wednesday and wind chills reaching between -30 and -60 degrees.
By Thursday the arctic air should move to the central Plains south to the Gulf Coast, where it will likely be below freezing and low temperature records are expected to be broken.
Snowfall accumulations in the Northeast are dependent on the track of the storm, according to AccuWeather, meaning if the storm turns up the coast there could be high snowfall in areas like Boston and Providence, Rhode Island, but if it stays south there may be little to no snow falling from Washington, D.C., to Philadelphia.
Icy rain is also likely to be a problem as a result of the storm starting Wednesday night, with areas like Raleigh and Charlotte “expected to experience icing,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Courtney Travis said.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
Which States Are Under Winter Warnings And Advisories?
All of North Dakota, nearly all of South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Oklahoma and Nebraska, and parts of Texas and Kansas were under extreme cold warnings as of Tuesday just before noon EST, according to NWS. Other parts of Kansas, Missouri, Kentucky and some of North Carolina, Illinois and Tennessee were under winter storm warnings, and northern parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia, along with southern Tennessee, were under winter weather advisories.
Are Flights Delayed Because Of The Winter Storm?
As of 12:25 p.m. Tuesday, there had been more than 2,300 delays on flights in or out of the U.S. and more than 760 cancellations, according to FlightAware. Airlines are already allowing some travelers to rebook their flights without incurring a change fee because of the winter storm. The “big four” U.S. airlines—American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Airlines—are issuing travel waivers for flights across the plains and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Tangent
This week’s storm is expected to move east to the mid-Mississippi Valley and deliver snow to areas that were hit hard by deadly flash flooding over the weekend, Accuweather reported. Parts of Arkansas, along with Memphis and Nashville, can expect between 1 and 3 inches of snow while Kentucky will likely get between 3 and 6 inches. On Sunday, President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration for Kentucky after tens of thousands were left without power and more than 10 people died as a result of the flooding.
Big Number
1,300. That’s how many miles long the corridor covered by winter storm watches, warnings and advisories from Tuesday through Thursday is, The Washington Post reported.
Key Background
This February has brought plenty of wintry weather to the U.S., with storms regularly occurring and leading to travel challenges and record-breaking temperatures over the last two weeks. February typically has the most storms on average of any winter month because it has the most cold air and the “jet stream (is) most active” according to Weather.com. The Washington Post reported after this storm across the Midwest and East, a break from the cold conditions may be in the forecast as milder air flows in over the weekend.
What To Watch For
The Rockies and Pacific Northwest are likely to get snow and rain starting Wednesday into Thursday, NWS reported, as the next round of mountain snow and rain moves in.
Further Reading
Winter Storm: Airlines Issue Travel Alerts For Tuesday And Wednesday (Forbes)
Kentucky Flooding: Trump Issues Emergency Declaration After 10 People Killed By Storm (Forbes)
Heavy snow and ice will hit from the Plains to the Mid-Atlantic (Washington Post)
Read the full article here