Over 10 million Americans find themselves under winter weather alerts, as a sweeping cross-country storm continues its journey, blanketing various regions with snow over the bustling holiday travel weekend.
As of Saturday, eleven states, spanning from Texas to New York, are under winter alerts, according to the National Weather Service. The post-Thanksgiving storm, currently impacting the central United States, has already left its mark with heavy snowfall in the Northern to Central Rockies, depositing over 25 inches of snow in Wyoming. Although snowfall amounts are anticipated to be lighter than what has already occurred, the National Weather Service predicts accumulations in the 2 to 4-inch range. Kansas is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with forecasts suggesting upwards of 8 inches of snow through Sunday, which coincides with the busiest air travel day of the year. The snow is projected to reach the Chicago area on Sunday, with the peak rates expected between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m., resulting in an estimated 1 to 2 inches of snowfall. As the system exits the central U.S., winds are set to intensify, pushing wind chills below zero in certain areas, including parts of Kansas.
Moving into Sunday, the system is predicted to merge with a coastal low, bringing brief periods of heavy rain to cities such as New York City, Boston, and Hartford, Connecticut. While the Northeast is expected to receive rainfall under 1 inch, much of New England could see up to 2 inches of rain. In the South, rain is anticipated along the immediate Gulf Coast, stretching from Texas to Florida, potentially causing travel disruptions in the region, as up to 1 inch of rain is likely.
