Midweek Blizzard to Unfold From Dakotas to Michigan
This video has the latest on the upcoming storm impacts in store for the Midwest.
An all-out blizzard may unfold across the northern Plains on Wednesday, the busiest travel day of the year. Dangerous cold, snow, high winds and whiteout conditions are expected to slam the area then spread eastward at night.
A potent storm slamming the Northwest Monday and the Rockies Tuesday with snow and howling winds will bring extremely dangerous whiteout conditions to western and central portions of the Dakotas on Wednesday. This will be the third storm in a series to hit the northern Plains.
On Saturday, Senior Meteorologist Kristina Pydynowski warned about the potential for blizzard conditions with the third snowstorm in a series to eye the Upper Midwest.
This image shows the areas that may be impacted by blizzard conditions Wednesday into Wednesday night.
Very poor roadway conditions and extremely low visibility in the hardest-hit zone may force officials to close interstates for several hours. Flight delays and cancellations are likely to occur with the blizzard conditions unravelling.
Besides causing hazardous and perhaps even impossible travel, the combination of cold and wind will cause dangerous AccuWeather RealFeel® temperatures that plummet below zero.
Bismarck and Dickinson, N.D., as well as Rapid City and Pierre, S.D., will be blasted by the worst of the snow and wind during the day on Wednesday.
Overnight, very heavy snow and the worst in terms of the biting winds will spread eastward into the eastern Dakotas, northern and central Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin and perhaps as far east as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Interstates in the path of the blizzard include I-29, I-35, I-90 and I-94.
Snow showers and gusty winds will also impact Omaha, Neb., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Snow accumulations will be light this far to the south, but blowing snow may still dangerously reduce the visibility at times.
On the milder, southeastern edge of the storm track, Chicago and Kalamazoo, Mich., will be dealing with a wintry mix. That may be enough to cause slick conditions on roadways at times and trouble at the major travel hub of Chicago O'Hare International Airport.
This photo of traffic in blizzard conditions is courtesy of Photos.com
Cold winds will follow the storm throughout the Great Lakes region on Thanksgiving and the interior Northeast into the weekend. The cold air blowing over the relatively warm lake waters may trigger the biggest episode of lake-effect snow since last winter.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
past 24 hours
| Extreme | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| High | 107° | Death Valley, CA |
| Low | 28° | Daniel, WY |
| Precip | 2.39" | Alexandria, MN |
WeatherWhys®
People need to pay close attention to the UV index during this time of year. On a sunny day late in the spring and into the summer, the UV is usually at least an 8, which is very high. Readings over 11 are considered extreme values in which only 10 minutes of full exposure to the sun will produce a sunburn.
This Day In Weather History
New Hampshire (1814)
A tornado crossed Merrimac, Litchfield, Londonderry and North Chester. The same storm produced hailstones that had an 11-inch circumference and weighed 1/2 pound.
Northeast (1989)
More rain in an already wet month. Monthly totals topped 11 inches at New York City, 9 inches at Bridgeport, Conn., and 8 inches at Baltimore (all three totals set records for May).
Rough Weather
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