Winter storms threaten Christmas air travel for millions of Americans hoping to get an early start for the holidays.
Airports and roads in the Midwest and Northeast are in the path of two systems that are expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds through Saturday.
An ‘Alberta Clipper’ storm – so named because these fast-moving systems originate from central Canada – is moving southeast across the Upper Midwest and has already delivered several centimeters of snow to 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 sweeps through the Midwest, causing slick 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, a new storm is developing in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Carolinas. This wintry system could bring heavy snow and strong winds to the Northeast.
States expected to be hardest hit by this storm’s snowfall are Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, southwestern Maine and parts of Long Island, New York. Rhode Island and eastern Maine will also be affected.
Winter storms could impact air travel for millions of Americans flying over Christmas
The combined force of two winter storms is bringing dangerous travel conditions to the Midwest and Northeast states as holiday travel begins
“The danger is that the snow could burst quickly and come down at a steady rate in some areas during the afternoon and evening rush hour on Friday in the Northeast,” said Bernie Rayno, AccuWeather’s chief air meteorologist.
The combination of rapidly accumulating snowpack and cooling road surfaces can create a slippery mess, slowing traffic 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 in New York City are difficult,” Rayno said.
“They could get a few inches of snow from the clipper storm, maybe a little more as the coastal storm moves further west, or they could be in a rip-off area with nothing to a few flurries.”
But before peak storm impacts reach the Northeast, the Alberta Clipper will dump snow across the Midwest. In some places it has already started.
As of Thursday afternoon, Fargo, North Dakota, Minneapolis and Madison, Wisconsin have received several inches of snow.
Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit can also expect several inches of snow Thursday evening through Friday morning.
An ‘Alberta Clipper’ storm – so named because these fast-moving systems originate from central Canada – is tracking southeastward across the Upper Midwest
Meanwhile, a new storm is developing in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Carolinas. This wintry system could bring heavy snow and strong winds to the Northeast
‘There are likely to be significant travel delays on roads and at airports. Travel along the Interstate 80/90 corridor will be slowed by the snow,” AccuWeather reported.
One to five inches of snow is also possible Friday in Indianapolis, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio.
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.
As of Thursday afternoon, Fargo, North Dakota, Minneapolis and Madison, Wisconsin received several inches of snow, AccuWeather reported. Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit can also expect several inches of snow Thursday evening through Friday morning
The storm currently forming off the Atlantic coast could usher in a period of heavy snow and strong winds in the Northeast from Friday evening through Saturday morning
But this region can also expect moderate to heavy snowfall, amounting to several centimeters of snow.
By then, the storm currently forming off the Atlantic coast could usher in a period of heavy snow and strong winds in the northeast, stretching from Friday evening into Saturday morning.
If the storm develops quickly, reaches its predicted maximum strength and stays close to the coastline, Providence, Rhode Island, Boston, Hartford, Connecticut, Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Portland, Maine could see two to three inches.
If you plan to hit the road this weekend, the NWS recommends checking road conditions ahead of time by calling 511 or visiting 511ia.org. Only drive during the day, stay on main roads and drive extra carefully.
This means that there is sufficient space between you and the car in front of you and that you maintain a safe speed.
While these winter conditions could disrupt travel across much of the U.S., there is a silver lining.
“There is a good chance that where snow falls Saturday, it could linger in at least part of the region until Christmas morning,” AccuWeather reported.