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What's New
A winter storm set to hit several major metropolitan cities in the Northeast and Great Lakes region will bring snow that could disrupt travel this week, AccuWeather reported.
Why It Matters
Millions of Americans will travel for the holiday this year. A report from AAA predicts that more than 119 million Americans have at least 50 miles to travel for year-end holidays.
Thanksgiving also brought record-breaking travel this year, with millions of Americans facing hazardous weather on their journey home after the holiday. That was particularly true in the Northeast, where lake-effect snow prompted officials in parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York to urge people to delay travel until the worst of the snow had passed.
Given that Christmas is on a Wednesday this year and is just eight days away, Americans could set out early, meaning the forecast for this week and the coming weekend could have the biggest impact on travel.
What to Know
Meteorologists are warning of a coastal storm that could bring snow to several states, from Pittsburgh northeast through Maine and south through West Virginia, on Friday night, contributing to "slippery" travel.
A map created by AccuWeather shows that inclement weather is also expected on Wednesday night, affecting such major cities as Indianapolis, Cleveland, Detroit and New York's Buffalo and Syracuse.
AccuWeather warned that up to 3 inches of snow could fall near the Pennsylvania/New York border, with pockets of as much as 6 inches in higher elevations of the Adirondack, Green and White mountains.
The greatest risk for snow is in northeast New York, much of Vermont and much of New Hampshire, as well as south-central Maine.
What People Are Saying
AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kines told Newsweek there's still uncertainty about how strong the storm will be this weekend. "Regardless of whether that storm hugs the coast or gets its act together, it is going to pull some cold air across the Northeast, Great Lakes and Midwest."
AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said in a report: "A roller-coaster ride of a forecast is in store across the Northeast this week, featuring a wintry mix, rain, a warmup and then the potential for an impactful storm late in the week into the weekend that can feature accumulating snow and very chilly air settling in."
The NWS office in Burlington, Vermont, said in a hazardous weather outlook: "Snow is expected to overspread the region late Wednesday evening into Thursday. Accumulations will...depend some on elevation. Parts of eastern Vermont and the Adirondacks are likely to receive 2 to 5 inches of snow. Slippery travel will be possible for parts of the region for the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commute."
What's Next
Temperatures will likely plunge in the Northeast this weekend, with strong winds making it feel 10 to 20 degrees colder, Kines said.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the nation, at least three atmospheric rivers are lined up to affect the West Coast before Christmas.
About the writer
Anna Skinner is a Newsweek senior reporter based in Indianapolis. Her focus is reporting on the climate, environment and weather ... Read more