A series of severe weather systems is wreaking havoc across the United States, as two major storms are set to sweep through the nation this week. The first storm, expected to hit on Tuesday, threatens to bring heavy rain and damaging winds to the eastern US, including major cities like New York City and Washington. High wind warnings and advisories have been issued from Texas to Maine, with gusts between 30 to 50 miles per hour (48 to 80 kilometers per hour) possible. Simultaneously, the Great Plains and Midwest regions may experience significant snowfall of up to 8 to 12 inches (30 centimeters), while Chicago is likely to see around 2 to 5 inches.
According to Bob Oravec, a senior branch forecaster with the US Weather Prediction Center, this storm is a behemoth, displaying a wide range of characteristics. He states, "It’s one huge storm and often in winter you can have a lot of different characteristics with a storm and this one has them all. It’s a pretty impactful week."
In addition to the storm battering the eastern US, the Pacific Northeast is also under threat, with winter storm and blizzard warnings in effect. The region could experience gusts of up to 50 miles per hour, causing potential damage and disruptions in cities like Seattle.
This incoming storm follows another system that hit over the weekend, bringing heavy snow to the Hudson River Valley in New York and much of central and northern New England. However, the new storm is expected to bring higher temperatures, causing the snow to melt and potentially leading to significant flooding in many areas. Moreover, an enhanced risk of tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and hail is anticipated across the South, from Tallahassee to Wilmington, North Carolina.
Flight cancellations have been rampant, with over 500 flights already canceled across the country, predominantly in Chicago, Houston, and Seattle. Power outages have also affected more than 337,000 customers in 11 states, particularly along the US Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida.
Warnings have been issued in New York City and Long Island, where flood watches are in place until Wednesday morning. The Gulf Coast and the entire East Coast are also at risk of flooding. Reports suggest that Louisiana and Mississippi have already experienced up to 6 inches of rain.
The storm is expected to subside by Wednesday, but another system is predicted to move eastward on Friday, potentially bringing blizzard conditions to Chicago and more heavy rain along the East Coast. Although temperatures will initially be mild, they are expected to drop as the storm passes.
In other parts of the world, Ottawa and Toronto in Canada are expected to face difficult travel conditions due to rain and snow. Europe, meanwhile, may experience a brief respite from the intense Arctic weather before the freeze intensifies again. In Australia, heavy rain and flooding have caused widespread damage to crops and stranded cattle in the southern state of Victoria, adding to the trail of destruction caused by months-long wild weather on the east coast. In Japan, the spot electricity price has risen due to colder temperatures, while cloudy weather is likely to limit solar output.