Powerful holiday week storm will unfold the central U.S.

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

A powerful holiday-week storm will unfold across the Central U.S. from Thursday into Friday and unleash heavy snow and strong winds. The travel disruption may happen.

Areas farther south and east won’t get as much snow, but other threats will develop. An extensive snowstorm is set to unfold across parts of the Midwest and Northeast this week, and the timing could not be worse warns the meteorologists.

 As millions rush to finish their shopping or embark on their holiday travels, the storm will begin to strengthen rapidly and generate high winds and accumulating snow at the same time that dangerously cold air from the Arctic will pour across the country.

The massive winter storm will bring everything from a blizzard in the Midwest to heavy rain and spotty snow followed by a rapid freeze-up in the South and East, leading to poor travel conditions across a huge chunk of the United States just in time for Christmas.

During the period from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, 112.7 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA). But the millions taking to the roads and skies in the days prior to Christmas could face big trouble from Old Man Winter.

Winter will officially begin on Wednesday, and it seems the atmosphere will waste no time sending out a reminder that a new season will be underway as what may become one of the most potent storms of the season is poised to disrupt or shut down holiday travel in multiple states.

Two-thirds of the nation’s flights are likely to be impacted by the major storm on Thursday and Friday, according to AccuWeather meteorologists. Several major hubs, including Chicago, Detroit and New York City, are all in the path of the storm and face significant disruptions. Ripple-effect delays from affected aircraft and crews will be felt across the nation.

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