Walloping Winter Storm Set to Unleash Travel Disruptions Across Central and Eastern US

The United States is preparing for a significant winter storm expected to bring heavy snowfall, blizzard conditions, and various other weather challenges across the central and southeastern regions. This storm is forecasted to move from the Southwest to the Northeast, bringing strong winds, potential tornadoes, extreme flooding, and heavy snowfall accompanied by blizzard conditions.

by TAUHID SHAH : January 8: Monday : 07:52 | 2024 Update

Already, the storm has caused disruptions in travel routes, leading to hazardous conditions and accidents in Arizona. Some parts of I-40 had to be closed due to dangerous weather, prompting authorities to advise against unnecessary travel. As of early Monday, the storm was centered over the Four Corners, causing ongoing snowfall. It’s expected to progress into the Southern Plains, where fierce blizzards and whiteout conditions may occur in certain areas.

The impact of this storm is projected to spread across the Gulf Coast and Southeast from Monday through Tuesday, putting nearly 70 million people at risk. Anticipated severe weather includes tornadoes, strong winds, and heavy rainfall. Cities like New Orleans, Gulfport, and Mobile might experience significant storm activity, potentially involving tornadoes.

This wide-reaching storm system will cover over 1,800 miles in a span of 72 hours, affecting numerous states with significant snowfall. It follows closely on the heels of a recent potent storm that brought heavy snow to the Northeast and a mix of rain, snow, ice, and tornadoes from the Gulf Coast to Maine.

Beyond the immediate weather impact, these storms have disrupted flights, worsened by the grounding of specific Boeing jets after a concerning incident during an Alaska Airlines flight. On Sunday, FlightAware recorded over 6,000 delayed flights and at least 828 cancellations within or to and from the United States.

Forecasting the storm’s trajectory, blizzard warnings are in place from Monday morning across a 1,000-mile stretch from Arizona to Wisconsin. Anticipate up to a foot of snow in specific areas like New Mexico, eastern Colorado, the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles, western Kansas, and southwest Nebraska. By Monday afternoon, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are expected to experience the storm’s impact, posing risks of tornadoes and significant rainfall, potentially causing flooding.

Tuesday will witness the storm moving eastward, increasing the risk of severe weather in cities such as Tallahassee, Albany, and Panama City. Poor visibility and hazardous driving conditions are expected across the central and southern Plains on Monday, followed by heavy snowfall in the interior Northeast on Tuesday. As the storm progresses northeastward, concerns grow about flooding, destructive winds, and potential tornadoes along the eastern US.

The Gulf Coast faces the risk of severe storms, including potent tornadoes and damaging winds. Over 15 million people are under severe storm threats on Monday, expanding to over 35 million on Tuesday. Significant flooding risks are expected in the Southeast on Monday and in the Northeast on Tuesday. Stay tuned for updates as this intense weather system traverses the United States.

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