Major Winter Storm to Snarl Travel from Midwest to Northeast
A major winter storm is expected to hit the Midwest and Northeast in the coming days, causing significant flight delays and cancellations as well as hazardous driving conditions.
Snow and icy conditions are currently moving across the United States ahead of a bigger storm. As of Thursday at 10 a.m. EST, 33 million people are under either a winter weather watch or advisory stretching from the Dakotas to the Northeast
Heavy snow is expected on Friday and Saturday in the Plains and Midwest, with blizzard-like conditions possible in some parts of the plains. The heaviest snowfall however will likely be in parts of the Northeast, where winter storm watches are already in effect.
The National Weather Service has posted winter storm watches for Albany, Boston, Buffalo, Hartford, Providence, Rochester, and Syracuse in the Northeast as well as for parts of South Dakota.
The forecast calls for gusty winds with blowing snow and heavy rain along the coast. Eighteen inches of snow is possible from Binghamton, New York, to Bangor, Maine.
Multiple airlines including American and United have issued travel waivers for passengers scheduled to fly on January 19 or 20 as a result of the impending storm.
On Saturday, expect significant flight delays from multiple airports including St. Louis, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh, while on Sunday, the list will include Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
Use extreme caution if driving in areas where the storm is expected. If you must drive, make sure you have the appropriate tires (in many regions, local laws require winter tires at this time) and keep extra supplies on hand including a fully charged mobile phone, ice scraper and brush, blankets, at least one flashlight, a battery-operated radio, and several bottles of water.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)