A US winter weather advisory, with blizzard warnings and the threat of heavy snow, was issued for the states of Minnesota, Dakotas, Nebraska, and Kansas this week, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Dangerous driving and travel conditions are expected in some areas of the affected states in the coming hours.
The winter weather alert comes as the weather service on Tuesday, December 26, issued related advisories and warnings across the northern and central parts of the US. A significant winter storm will envelop the region until early Wednesday, December 27, bringing heavy snow, blizzard conditions, and potentially damaging icing.
US Winter Weather Advisory
The US winter weather advisory forecasts the occurrence of snow and blowing snow in the affected states mentioned earlier. Strong winter weather winds and blizzard conditions could also make road and air travel hazardous. Due to these threats, the NWS advices the public to plan for difficult travel conditions.
Not only heavy snow showers and intense winter weather events impact travel but can also pose life-threatening risks. In 2022, a similar winter season period in late December saw a deadly blizzard that struck Buffalo, New York, killing 47 people due to hypothermia and deaths related to delays EMS response, according to local officials, the American Meteorological Society reported.
Winter Holiday Travel Chaos
The winter holiday travel chaos is expected through the remainder of December as winter storms, including lake effect snow storms, are expected to persist this weekday or even until the year-end weekend. Road traffic movement and flights within the US could get delayed as reduced visibility and heavy snowfall are expected.
According to reports, experts warn that there could be gridlock on highways as a high number of motorists are expected to hit the roads, with the busiest travel days expected on Friday, December 29, and New Year's Day on Monday, January 1.
Since November prior to the Thanksgiving holidays, different parts of the country have been slammed by a cross-country storm, disrupting travel for millions of Americans. Before Christmas, the American Automobile Association (AAA) estimated that more than 115 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles this holiday season.
Winter Storm Forecast
It is the NWS' Weather Prediction Center (WPC) on Tuesday that issued a winter storm forecast about the weather hazards related to the significant winter storm and alongside the US winter weather advisory.
The forecast is valid until Thursday, December 28. During this period, not only wintry conditions will impact the north-central US but other weather events will occur across the country, according to the WPC.
In the East Coast, moderate to heavy rainfall is likely during the onset of the work week, with possible flooding across parts of the southern and central Appalachians, according to the US weather agency. Meanwhile, renewed precipitation is expected for northern California and the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday.
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