A massive winter storm is charging across the United States, placing more than 40 million Americans under weather alerts and threatening to dump up to two feet of snow in some regions. The system is forecast to create treacherous conditions through Monday, with significant travel disruptions already unfolding.
Blizzard Conditions and Widespread Disruption
The storm began its march on Sunday, blasting through the Midwest before tearing into the Northeast by evening. Blizzard warnings are in effect from North Dakota down to southern Minnesota and Iowa, where three to eight inches of snow and gusts up to 45mph are expected. These conditions are predicted to cause whiteouts and near-zero visibility, sparking major concerns over travel safety.
Disruptions are predicted to last into at least Monday as the stormfront pushes east. By early Sunday afternoon, Minneapolis St Paul International Airport had already recorded 268 delays and 66 cancellations. At Detroit Metro Airport, figures stood at 25 cancellations and 150 delays, with numbers expected to rise as the storm arrived.
Forecast Details and Regional Impacts
The heaviest snowfall is forecast for the Midwest, where Minneapolis could see between five and eight inches. Snow began falling in Fargo, North Dakota, early on Sunday, with heavy snow hitting Minneapolis by noon. The system is then expected to reach eastern Wisconsin by the afternoon, bringing heavy rain to Detroit and southern Michigan.
In the Northeast, the situation is compounded by the lingering effects of a post-Christmas storm that blanketed parts of New England. Winter Weather Advisories for freezing rain are active from Scranton, Pennsylvania, north to Burlington, Vermont, and east to Portland, Maine. Western New York, including Buffalo and Jamestown, faces a flood watch with up to 1.5 inches of rainfall expected.
Ongoing Travel Chaos and Emergency Declarations
This incoming storm arrives just days after another battered the Northeast, causing major havoc during one of the year's busiest travel weekends. On Friday, at least 1,500 flights were cancelled in New York City, with an additional 9,000 US domestic flights cancelled or delayed on Saturday.
The previous storm prompted New York Governor Kathy Hochul to declare a state of emergency for over half the state, while Acting New Jersey Governor Tahesha Way declared one for the entirety of New Jersey. The current storm's worst effects should clear by Monday night, but lake-effect snow is likely around the Eastern Great Lakes through Tuesday and possibly into Wednesday.
