Weather experts warned that intense storms could develop and fuel formation of more tornadoes from Florida to Carolinas.
They said that millions of people across the United States are facing extreme weather this week as forecasters issued warnings on strong storms in the west. Furthermore, a winter blast can also produce widespread floods in the east.
The National Weather Service said that a vigorous upper level trough digging into the Central and Eastern US has spawned a strong surface cyclone that will continue to impact the eastern third of the nation through early Wednesday.
Widespread heavy rainfall will likely lead to significant river and flash flooding from the western Carolinas to the middle Atlantic and Northeast, and scattered to numerous flash floods will be possible.
High Chances Of Floods
The highest flash flood chances are seen to transpire over the far western Carolinas and from northern or central Virginia through southern New York and into Connecticut to Rhode Island where there is a Moderate Risk of Excessive Rainfall.
They said that the tight pressure gradient accompanying the system would also produce an expansive area of high winds.
Officials said that there are widespread Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings in effect from the middle or lower Mississippi to the Southeast and up the East Coast.
Meteorologists said that the strong winds with gusts in excess of 55 mph are likely to cause numerous power outages and moderate to major coastal flooding in the Mid-Atlantic and New England.
Severe thunderstorms will also be a hazard for the Southeast with a powerful mid-level jet in place ahead of the cold front.
Meanwhile, the Storm Prediction Center has highlighted this region with an Enhanced Risk for severe thunderstorms through tonight, and storm hazards may include tornadoes, damaging to severe wind gusts, and isolated hail.
Moreover, wintry precipitation on the northern and western sides of the system will also create hazardous conditions for parts of the Midwest and Great Lakes.
Read Also: Most Significant Snow, Arctic Blast To Impact Pacific Northwest, Seattle, Portland
Heavy Snow Bands
Heavy snow bands with rates of one to two inches per hour will shift from the Upper Midwest this afternoon into the Great Lakes tonight.
These snow rates will be accompanied by gusty winds reaching 30 to 40 mph, making for dangerous travel due to low visibility and snow covered roads.
On the other hand, an additional four to eight inches of storm-total snowfall is possible from the western shores of Lake Michigan to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Meteorologists said that heavy or wet snow would move across the high terrain of the interior Northeast tonight into Wednesday.
This snow will cling to trees and power lines, which when combined with gusty winds potentially exceeding 55 mph, could result in power outages and scattered tree damage.
Weather experts said that conditions would gradually improve as the system moves out, although precipitation and strong winds is still seen to linger into the afternoon for the Northeast.
A weaker low pressure system will approach the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region on Wednesday into Thursday morning, but it will not have much moisture to work with, so mainly, the public could expect a lighter snow.
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