Chicago commuters are in for a treacherous start to the work week as two waves of ice and sleet are expected to make their way through the city until Tuesday. The forecast predicts an accumulation of 0.1 to 0.25 of an inch (0.25 to 0.64 cm) of ice, resulting in hazardous road conditions and the potential for power outages. However, there is a small level of uncertainty as temperatures may rise slightly, leading to mainly rain instead, said Marc Chenard, a senior branch forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center. As a precaution, 85 flights have already been canceled at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport due to the winter weather advisories and storm warnings that stretch from western New York to northern Texas.
Meanwhile, Europe is bracing itself for back-to-back Atlantic storms that will bring strong winds and heavy rain across Ireland, the UK, and parts of the continent. Storm Isha is currently passing north of Scotland, causing what Ellie Glaisyer from the UK Met Office described as a "very windy start to the new working week." Following a brief period of milder weather, Storm Jocelyn is expected to hit on Tuesday, bringing yet another round of harsh weather. In some areas of Scotland, gusts could reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.
Down under in Australia, a tropical cyclone is forecasted to form over the Coral Sea northeast of the country in the next day or so, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. A tropical cyclone watch has been issued for the coastline between Ayr and St. Lawrence on Australia's east coast. The Queensland coast could experience high winds and heavy rain by Wednesday morning. Wind gusts of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour, flash flooding, and severe downpours are all expected. The storm is anticipated to intensify as it approaches the coast and may reach Category 3 strength on Australia's storm scale before making landfall, potentially near Townsville, on Thursday.
With multiple regions around the world facing severe weather conditions, it is important for residents and travelers to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.