UPDATE: Approximately 72 million Americans are now facing severe winter weather, with wind alerts in effect from the Rocky Mountains to the Northeast. A powerful coast-to-coast weather system is disrupting holiday travel plans, with wind gusts expected to reach up to 60 mph in several areas.
The storm is impacting communities from Washington, D.C. to Boston, where heavy gusts and snow are causing significant travel delays. Officials warn that the worst disruptions are anticipated on the West Coast, particularly in California, as a series of storms rolls in just in time for Christmas week.
Heavy downpours are set to begin this weekend, bringing urban flooding and river overflow concerns. Areas in southern California could see multiple inches of rain, especially in west- and southwest-facing mountain slopes. This follows a recent period of relative calm after the Northwest endured torrential rainfall and flooding.
As the storm progresses eastward, airports across the Northeast may face significant delays due to adverse weather conditions. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Adam Douty highlighted that a “clipper storm” is expected to sweep through the Upper Midwest and Northeast from Monday to Tuesday, with Tuesday being particularly problematic for travel in regions stretching from northern Pennsylvania to central and northern New England.
In the Sierra Nevada and Cascades, higher elevations are forecast to receive multiple feet of snow, creating hazardous travel conditions.
While the weekend looks relatively calm for most, lingering winds and snow may persist in the Great Lakes region. Meanwhile, states avoiding the winter storm are forecast to experience one of the warmest Christmases on record, with temperatures soaring into the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit across at least a dozen states, including Texas and Missouri.
New Yorkers hoping for a “white Christmas” may be disappointed. Although there is a slight chance of light snowfall early Monday night into Tuesday morning, any accumulation is expected to melt by Christmas Day, with temperatures remaining in the mid-40s. AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist John Feerick noted that New York City has only seen accumulating snowfall on Christmas Day six times in the last 156 years, making a snowy holiday highly unlikely.
As travel disruptions loom and weather conditions worsen, authorities urge travelers to stay updated and plan accordingly. With holiday plans at stake, millions of Americans are bracing for what could be a chaotic travel experience this season.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
