Parts of the United States are expected to be hit with some severe winter weather this week, with several areas in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions predicted to see blizzard conditions with snow reaching up to 20 inches in some locations. Needless to say, this will make travel quite difficult.
As the winter storm pushes across the country, the National Weather Service has issued a warning for what this storm could mean for those traveling throughout those regions.
Winter Weather Warning
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter weather warnings for 14 states across the country, warning of snow that could reach up to 20 inches in some regions from Tuesday, Dec. 9, early morning into Wednesday, Dec. 10.
“The next clipper will bring snow, ice and wind to the Midwest and Great Lakes Tuesday, shifting east and impacting the Northeast Wednesday, A swath of 3-5 inches looks likely for many with some locations seeing up to a foot of snow. On top of that, wind gusts in excess of 60 mph will be possible, leading to blizzard conditions and power outages in the bitter cold,” the Weather Channel said this week.
The Weather Channel notes that the snow is actually coming from two separate storms with the heaviest snow stretches from the Northern Plains states, Upper Great Lakes, Midwest, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast.
Travel Warning Amid ‘Whiteout’ Conditions
The National Weather Service warns that in addition to the extensive snow cover, these storms could cause blizzard and “whiteout conditions” from Tuesday through Wednesday and into Thursday, in some cases. These conditions, the NWS warns, could be dangerous for travel.
“Plan on hazardous travel conditions. Gusty winds will lead to blowing and drifting snow, along with potential for whiteout conditions. Quick onsets of whiteout conditions and changing road conditions will lead to potential for the rapid onset of hazardous travel conditions,” the National Weather Service in Michigan warned, via Newsweek.
The NWS advises that all residents in these affected areas avoid backcountry travel and stick to major roads if travel is necessary.
