A powerful storm system is sweeping across the United States this week, posing a significant threat to travel and promising a wide range of weather conditions, from heavy snow and strong winds to drenching rain and severe thunderstorms.
The storm, which began by bringing much-needed precipitation to wildfire-ravaged Southern California, is now moving eastward, impacting nearly every region of the country.
The Southwest and Intermountain West are already experiencing spotty rain and snow, with wintry travel conditions expected along interstates in Arizona and Utah, according to AccuWeather. Snowfall accumulations could reach up to six inches in New Mexico and the higher elevations of Colorado from Tuesday night through Thursday.
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The Rockies are bracing for several inches of snow, with a wintry mix possible into the weekend in parts of the High Plains. Snow squalls, characterized by brief periods of intense snowfall, low visibility, and gusty winds, are also possible through Wednesday in the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Northeast, courtesy of a separate weather system.
South and east of the storm’s primary track, the forecast calls for rain, raising concerns about potential flooding. Some areas from Texas to Kentucky could receive as much as seven inches of rain.
AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Courtney Travis noted that the rain will fall in an area of the South Central states experiencing extreme drought, including San Antonio and Austin. While the rain is needed, its rapid arrival could lead to flooding. Central Texas faces a risk of severe thunderstorms with hail and damaging winds on Thursday.
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By the end of the week, the storm’s impact will extend to the Midwest and Northeast, bringing the potential for snow and ice. Travis suggested that cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland could see snow or a wintry mix on Friday, depending on the storm’s track.
Areas of heavy rain and snow are expected as the storm intensifies over the middle of the nation at midweek. Snow accumulation is possible from northern Arizona to southeastern Colorado, northwestern Kansas, and parts of central Nebraska, starting as early as Wednesday, with the heaviest amounts expected in the southern Rockies. Cities like Santa Fe and Pueblo could experience slippery travel conditions due to snow, and Denver may see 1-3 inches of snow from Wednesday night to Thursday morning.
The warm sector of the storm, to the south and east, will bring drenching rain and the risk of flash flooding and slick roads from central Texas to western Kentucky. Some areas could receive 4-6 inches of rain, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 7 inches possible in 24 hours or less. The risk of severe thunderstorms will shift from central Texas on Wednesday to southeastern Texas on Thursday.
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As the storm continues its eastward trek, rain and thunderstorms could disrupt travel, potentially causing airline ground stops in major hubs like Atlanta and Charlotte from Friday to early Saturday.
In the Northeast, a wedge of cold air may limit snowfall in northern New York and New England, but a wintry mix is likely in portions of the central Appalachians, the upper Mid-Atlantic, and southern New England from Friday to Saturday. Major cities like New York City could see a range of precipitation, from heavy rain to ice and snow.
Even areas experiencing heavy rain, such as Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., can expect travel delays from late in the week through the weekend.
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