Winter storms are threatening Christmas air travel for millions of Americans who are hoping to head out early for the holiday.
Airports and roadways in the Midwest and Northeast are in the path of two systems that are expected to deliver heavy snow and high winds into Saturday.
An ‘Alberta clipper’ storm — so named because these fast-moving systems come from central Canada — is tracking southeastward across the Upper Midwest and has already delivered a few inches of snow to the parts of the region.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned that this storm is expected to produce at least four inches of snow, as it barrels across the Midwest, creating slippery roads.
States in the path of this storm include North Dakota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland.
Parts of the Northeast — including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, central and southern New York and southwestern New England — could also be affected.
Meanwhile, another storm is developing in the Atlantic off the coast of the Carolinas. This wintery system could bring heavy snow and high winds to the Northeast.
States expected to receive the brunt of the snowfall from this storm include Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, southwestern Maine and parts of Long Island, New York. Rhode Island and down East Maine will also be impacted.
‘The danger is the snow can quickly erupt and come down at a steady clip in some areas during the afternoon and evening rush hour on Friday in the Northeast,’ AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.
The combination of fast-accumulating snow cover and cooling road surfaces can make for a slippery mess, causing traffic to slow and potentially causing accidents, according to AccuWeather.
Northeastern areas at risk for these conditions include New York City and Baltimore as well as Philadelphia, Allentown, Scranton and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
But ‘Conditions around New York City are tricky,’ Rayno said.
‘They can get a coating to an inch or two of snow from the clipper storm, perhaps a bit more if the coastal storm tracks farther west, or they could be in a rip-off zone where nothing to a few flurries occur.’
But before peak storm impacts reach the Northeast, the Alberta Clipper will dump snow across the Midwest. In some places, it’s already begun.
As of midday on Thursday, Fargo, North Dakota, Minneapolis and Madison, Wisconsin have received a few inches of snow.
Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit can also expect several inches of snowfall beginning Thursday evening into Friday morning.
‘Substantial travel delays are likely on the roads and at the airports. Travel along the Interstate 80/90 corridor will be slowed down by the snow,’ AccuWeather reported.
On Friday, one to two inches of snow could also accumulate in Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio.
By Friday evening, the Alberta clipper will reach the central Appalachians, delivering up to two inches of snow from West Virginia, northern Maryland and northern Virginia to Pennsylvania, New Jersey, central and southern New York and southwestern New England.
But this region can also expect pockets of moderate to heavy snowfall, amounting to several inches of accumulation.
By this time, the storm currently forming off the Atlantic coast could usher a period of heavy snow and high winds into the Northeast, spanning Friday night into Saturday morning.
If the storm develops quickly, reaches its predicted maximum strength and remains close to the coastline, Providence, Rhode Island, Boston, Hartford, Connecticut, Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Portland, Maine could see two to three inches.
If you are planning to hit the road this weekend, the NWS advises checking road conditions ahead of time by calling 511 or visiting 511ia.org, only driving during the day, staying on main roads and driving with extra caution.
That means leaving plenty of space between you and the car ahead of you and maintaining a safe speed.
Although these wintery conditions could disrupt travel plants throughout much of the US, there is a silver lining.
‘There’s a good chance that where snow falls into Saturday, it may stick around until Christmas morning in at least part of the region,’ AccuWeather reported.
