A powerful and multifaceted storm system is sweeping across the central United States, bringing a dangerous mix of severe weather, blizzard conditions, and high winds on the last official day of astronomical winter.
After nearly 100 confirmed tornadoes ravaged the Midwest and Southeast just days prior, the region is bracing for another round of severe thunderstorms, with approximately 90 million people at risk.
While a widespread tornado outbreak is not expected, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that any tornadoes that do form could pose significant danger. The greatest risk of severe thunderstorms, including the potential for tornadoes, is focused on portions of Illinois and Indiana, with Chicago near the northern edge of this zone.
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“While this severe weather event may not match the scale of the previous one, it’s crucial for residents to take it seriously,” said Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather senior meteorologist. “Even a few tornadoes can cause significant damage.”
All modes of severe weather are possible, including large hail, powerful straight-line winds, and flash flooding.
According to AccuWeather, the storm is also generating widespread high winds, with gusts exceeding 70 mph in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Kansas, and Colorado. These strong winds have kicked up dust storms and fueled wildfires across the southern Plains.
The dust is expected to spread eastward, potentially leading to “dirty” showers and limiting severe thunderstorm activity in some areas.
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Meanwhile, the storm’s northwestern flank is bringing blizzard conditions to a vast area from Colorado to Minnesota and Wisconsin. Heavy snowfall, with accumulations of 6-12 inches and potentially up to 30 inches in parts of northern Michigan and Ontario, is creating hazardous travel conditions.
Blizzard warnings are in effect for a 600-mile swath, impacting major interstate highways. “Travel will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, in some areas due to whiteout conditions,” warned Sosnowski.
The storm’s multifaceted nature is expected to cause widespread travel disruptions. Severe thunderstorms may lead to airport delays and ground stops, while high winds and blizzard conditions could result in road closures and traffic accidents.
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Even areas like Chicago could see a rapid transition from severe thunderstorms during the evening rush hour to accumulating snow by the morning rush hour.
The storm system is expected to spawn a new storm along the Atlantic coast on Thursday, bringing severe weather to parts of the I-95 corridor and accumulating snow to the interior Northeast.
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