A powerful two-pronged winter storm, stretching nearly 2,000 miles, has caused stark contrasts across the country this week. While parts of the Northeast prepare for icy conditions, the South faces the risk of torrential rain and flash flooding.
Travelers should expect significant disruptions, and residents should get ready for potential flooding, severe thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy snowfall.
Multiday Flash Flood Threat in the South
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Heavy rain will soak the Deep South over several days, especially in parts of Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia, according to the FOX Forecast Center. Rain totals will range from 2-3 inches, with some areas seeing more than 5 inches.
Louisiana and southern Alabama are expected to experience the heaviest rain. Additionally, a low threat of severe weather could occur Wednesday, with possible damaging wind gusts and a tornado or two as the cold front moves through.
Days of Rain and Snow for the Northeast
The Northeast will see a different kind of winter weather.
Beneficial rain will soak the Northeast and the I-95 corridor, likely continuing into Thursday morning, according to the FOX Forecast Center. Areas along I-95 may receive 3-5 inches of rain.
A second round of rain is expected Wednesday as a large system moves through, with a powerful cold front drenching the eastern third of the Lower 48.
Wednesday is expected to be a washout, with an elevated risk of flash flooding along the I-95 corridor, according to the FOX Forecast Center. This rain will arrive ahead of the advancing cold front, driven by tropical-like moisture from the Southeast.
The most significant impacts are anticipated from New York City to Boston, where some locations could see more than 3 inches of rain from both storm systems combined.
Although this rain won’t fully solve drought concerns, it will provide a significant boost as the new year approaches, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
As colder air moves in behind the cold front, rain may mix with or turn into snow in parts of the interior Northeast and New England by Wednesday night.
However, due to the wet ground and warmer temperatures before the winter weather arrives, it’s difficult to predict where snow will fall and how much could accumulate.
Next Lake-Effect Snow Event to Hit the Great Lakes on Wednesday
The Great Lakes region, already impacted by recent snowstorms, faces another round of lake-effect snow expected to begin Wednesday and last until Friday.
A strong snow band will develop off lakes Erie and Ontario, but its exact position is still uncertain, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
If winds shift to the southwest, western New York may experience the heaviest snow. Otherwise, lakeshore areas from northeastern Ohio’s Lake County northeastward to parts of northern Ashtabula County and Erie County in Pennsylvania could see the biggest impacts.
Snowfall patterns may temporarily shift with a secondary front Wednesday night, but lakeshore communities are likely to experience heavy snow during this event.