Over 3 million Americans face BLIZZARD warnings on Christmas with up to a foot of snow in Plains while most of US deals with unseasonably warm temps
- White Christmas arrived in the Midwest, but brought snowstorm warnings that could hamper holiday travel
- Snow and icy conditions are expected to continue in some parts of the country at least until Tuesday, while other parts of the country could see significant snowfall on Christmas Day
- Other parts of the US are expected to have warm temperatures for Christmas
Overnight, a white Christmas arrived for Americans in the Plains, as a blizzard warning blew in alongside visitors from the North Pole.
Blizzard warnings were issued Sunday morning across many parts of Nebraska and parts of neighboring South Dakota.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, conditions will become more treacherous Monday and into Tuesday as snow falls and wind speeds increase.
Tyler Roys, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather, said, “This storm comes just in time to bring a white Christmas to some in the Rockies and Plains.”
On Christmas Day, the storm will move eastward into the Midwest from Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming – as mentioned above, Nebraska and South Dakota are expected to be hit the hardest.
The Omaha area could see as much as eight inches of snow and sleet. More than a foot of snow has already fallen in parts of Arizona.
The US weather map shows that rain and snow are expected in a significant part of the country during Christmas
“The duration of the storm will add to the wintery feel of all holiday activities throughout the week,” Roys said, although it could also cause some disruption to holiday travel schedules.
Early on Christmas Day, the National Weather Service issued ice storm warnings for areas of eastern North and South Dakota.
The NWS has also issued gale warnings, blizzard warnings and winter weather advisories in seven other states: Alaska, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon and Washington.
Heavy snow will increase coverage across Kansas on Christmas Day, with winds exceeding 55 mph.
“While a white Christmas may be exciting for those stuck at home, heavy snowfall and reduced visibility due to blowing snow will create dangerous, if not impossible, travel conditions,” the NWS said.
Up to three inches of snow is expected in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska. Travelers have been told to expect slippery roads and less than ideal visibility.
In Minnesota, ice accumulations and wind speeds of up to 45 miles per hour are expected. Forecasters say power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice.
According to AccuWeather meteorologists, conditions will become more treacherous Monday and into Tuesday as snow falls and wind speeds increase
While the Midwest states will be blanketed in snow, winter conditions will make holiday travel a more dangerous endeavor
The NWS issued winter storm warnings in ten states over Christmas
Nebraska residents have been told to avoid icy roads
The Plain State will be one of the hardest hit areas by Christmas snowstorms
While some areas are experiencing classic winter weather conditions, other areas are experiencing warmer than normal conditions.
In New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, warm rain could lead to flooding Monday evening, with more than two inches of Christmas rain falling.
In Florida, the panhandle is threatened by flooding. And from there, heavy rain will move into Georgia and South Carolina. Rain on the Gulf Coast will likely be two to three inches, with some areas likely to exceed four to five inches.
The rest of the East Coast will likely see the same rain Tuesday and the rest of the week.