Stereo Storm Systems From California to the Northern Tip of Maine Bring Heavy Rain, Flooding. ‘Travel Should be Restricted to Emergencies’
A variable-message sign warning of heavy storms on the Cross Bronx Expressway on Friday in New York City
Two major storm systems – one on the East Coast and one on the West – are sweeping across the United States this weekend causing hazardous driving conditions, heavy flooding in some areas, as well as flight delays and cancellations.
“Heavy rain and a few thunderstorms will impact the eastern seaboard through Saturday; For portions of New England, heavy snow and strong winds are expected,” the National Weather Service said in a statement Saturday morning.
“For the Intermountain West, a large complex storm is forecast to develop and track across the Plains this weekend,” the weather service said, adding that “[S]trong winds, heavier mountain snow and lower elevation rain are expected” and “[S]nowfall intensity increases for the Plains on Sunday.”
The right channel of the stereo storm is causing problems in the New York metropolitan area, where local airports, including John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, and Newark Liberty International, are all reporting many dozens of delays, although there are only a few cancellations thus far. Also impacted are Philadelphia International and Toronto-Pearson International airports, with similar numbers of delays.
Miami International Airport led the world in delays and cancellations with 75 and 295 respectively, although the disruption to operations there was from a different weather system.
Still, the left channel of the stereo storm is far more severe, the National Weather Service said.
“Travel should be restricted to emergencies only,” wrote the agency. “If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.”
At press time, the East Coast storm system was currently drenching the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, and it is predicted to move on northern New England with heavy snow. The rains were expected to end by midday in the nation’s capital, but they could stick around until late evening for New York and Boston.
Winter storm warnings, meanwhile, are in effect for much of Upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Snowfall in some regions could approach 2’ (61 cm).
The left channel of the stereophonic storms is originated in the West and it will consolidate east of the Rockies before pummeling the northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Winter storm watches and warnings span from the Sierra Nevada and northern Rockies to northern Wisconsin, with as are some blizzard warnings in effect for Lake and Cook counties in Minnesota. The Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation could see anywhere from 14” (36 cm) to 19” (48 cm) of snow along with strong winds between Sunday and Tuesday night.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
