As residents of Upstate New York and New England continue to dig out from a weekend snow storm, they must brace themselves for another weather system that is set to arrive in the region, melting the existing drifts and potentially causing heavy rainfall. This subsequent storm, the first of two, is currently advancing across the central US, bringing blizzard conditions from New Mexico to Nebraska. As it progresses eastward, it will carry warm air, strong winds, and heavy rain to the East Coast, with downpours expected to begin in New York City overnight on Tuesday.
Meteorologist Rob Carolan, the owner of Hometown Forecast Services, warned that this upcoming storm will be a force to be reckoned with. He emphasized, "This is going to be a whopper," and predicted an abundance of water in the area by Wednesday afternoon.
Following a month of mild and relatively calm weather, the weather pattern in the US has shifted, ushering in a series of storms that will persist until at least mid-January. While this impending storm will bring snow and wintry conditions to parts of the Great Plains and Midwest, the East Coast will experience warmer temperatures and precipitation in the form of 1 to 3 inches of rain.
Flood watches have been issued from Maine to Virginia, including New York City, where temperatures are set to rise to 51 degrees Fahrenheit in Central Park on Tuesday. The National Weather Service has warned of potential widespread flooding, including flash flooding, due to the nearly saturated ground that will allow for excessive runoff.
To exacerbate the situation, damaging winds will accompany the storm's progression across the US. Wind advisories are in effect from New Mexico to the Atlantic, extending up the East Coast all the way to Maine. Fierce gusts of up to 60 miles per hour will be possible in New York City until late Tuesday.
Unfortunately, the respite will be brief as yet another storm is poised to traverse the US, bringing more heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding to the East Coast by the following weekend, according to meteorologist Rob Carolan. Residents in the affected regions should remain vigilant and prepared for potentially hazardous conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.