Massive Holiday Storm Could Bring Bomb Cyclone, Blizzards To U.S.

ACROSS AMERICA — Millions of Americans could find their holiday travel plans in peril this week as a large portion of the United States braces for a massive winter storm expected to deliver blizzard conditions, heavy snow and bitterly cold temperatures ahead of Christmas Day.

According to the latest forecast by AccuWeather, the worst of the storm is expected to unfold across the central United States from Thursday into Friday. Areas to the south and east won’t get as much snow, but will likely face other threats.

The Weather Channel predicts the storm could become a bomb cyclone over the Midwest.

Here's what to expect:

This Week's Forecast

A strong arctic high-pressure system extending from Canada to the Northern Plains will lead to frigid temperatures and widespread snow in the Pacific Northwest on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

As the storm presses east, the heaviest snowfall amounts are expected in the higher terrain of the Cascades and into northern Idaho, northwest Montana, and western Wyoming. These regions will likely see more than a foot of snow, according to NWS forecasters.

Behind the system will be a surge of dangerous arctic air.

More than 30 million people are under wind chill alerts across many central and northwestern states, CNN reported. In many places, the "feel like" temperatures are expected to plummet below zero.

On Tuesday, the system brought dangerously cold temperatures to Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and most of Minnesota, where high temperatures will remain below zero, according to the NWS.

“In addition to the brutally cold temperatures, dangerous wind chill values of 35 to 55 degrees below zero are possible into the end of the week across these areas,” the Weather Prediction Center said Monday.

Meanwhile, even states to the south will get a taste of bitter cold this week. Austin, Houston, Atlanta, and Orlando are all at risk of seeing temperatures below freezing this week, CNN reported.

Aside from the bitter cold air, snow will add to the travel headaches from the central Plains to the Midwest to the Great Lakes. Areas of light to moderate snow are likely to impact the central Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley on Wednesday and Thursday.

Snowfall amounts aren't expected to grow until a low-pressure system rapidly strengthens and races toward the Great Lakes, according to the NWS. States surrounding Lake Michigan could see as many as 8 inches of snow.

In addition to snow, strong winds are expected to impact nearly the entire eastern half of the United States by Thursday night. Winds will create blizzard conditions throughout the central and northern Plains, the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes states. States like Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri are most likely to see blizzard conditions, according to AccuWeather.

Significant blowing and drifting snow should be expected. Strong winds could also lead to potential power outages.

While states in the Mid-Atlantic and Appalachia regions could see periods of snow, sleet, or freezing rain, moderate rainfall and strong winds will likely spread up the East coast into the overnight hours on Thursday. One of the biggest threats could be a rapid freeze, which will result in slick roads and hazardous travel conditions.

Travel Impacts

Nearly 112.7 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home between Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, according to AAA.

Two-thirds of the nation’s flights will likely to affected by the storm on Thursday and Friday, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.

Several major airports, including Chicago, Detroit, and New York City, are in the storm's path and could face significant disruptions.

"Travel could be totally shut down in Chicago by the storm from late Thursday to Friday," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.