Floods, tornadoes, snowfalls: winter storm hits US this week

A winter storm is expected on January 8th. It will bring heavy snow and blizzard conditions to the central US and threatens flash flooding, heavy rain and possible tornadoes in the Southeast, reports CNN.

Photo: IStock

An exceptionally powerful storm is packing nearly every winter weather threat imaginable as it moves from the southwest to the northeast midweek. Severe weather may bring high winds, tornadoes, severe flooding, snowfall and blizzards.

The system is already causing problems for travelers. On January 7, the hurricane moved through Four Corners. Dangerous road conditions and weather-related crashes in Arizona have led to the closure of several sections of I-40, with officials recommending against travel.

On the subject: Which airlines are least likely to delay and cancel flights?

Early on January 8, the center of the storm was still hovering over Four Corners, where snowfall continued. The system will strengthen as it moves into the Southern Plains, where severe blowing snow and drifts are expected in some areas.

Beginning at noon on January 8 and continuing through January 9, the effects of the hurricane will also be felt along the Gulf Coast and the Southeast. There, nearly 70 million people are at risk of severe weather, including tornadoes, high winds and flooding.

Cities such as New Orleans, Louisiana, Gulfport, Mississippi, and Mobile, Alabama, will be affected. The hurricane will develop on the afternoon of January 8th, likely producing several tornadoes.

The fast-moving system will travel more than 2900 km in 72 hours, causing significant snowfall in more than a half-dozen states.

The winter weather arrived on the heels of another major storm. It brought more than a foot of snow to the Northeast over the weekend, as well as rain, ice and tornadoes from the Gulf Coast to Maine. Snow totals reached 30 cm in some areas, including Salem, New Hampshire, and Milton, New York.

A series of storms is contributing to an increase in flight delays and cancellations.

More than 7 flights to, from or within the United States were delayed on Jan. 6000, according to tracking site FlightAware. At least 828 flights to the US have been cancelled.

Some airports reported significant disruption. Bradley International Airport near Hartford, Connecticut, announced that 20% of its flights were canceled on Jan. 7 due to snow removal efforts.

What to expect in the coming days

Winter storm warnings extend for more than 1600 km from Arizona to Wisconsin as the storm makes its way.

Blizzard warnings have been in effect since the morning of January 8th. Parts of New Mexico, eastern Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas, western Kansas and southwestern Nebraska can expect up to a foot of snow.

The system is expected to quickly develop into an exceptionally powerful January storm and cause widespread and significant impacts east of the Rockies.

By the afternoon of January 8, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama will feel the storm's strength. Tornadoes are especially likely across the region, and rainfall amounts of 7 to 12 cm could lead to flooding.

On January 9, the same system is forecast to move further east, where there is an increased risk of severe weather for cities such as Tallahassee, Florida, Albany, Georgia, and Panama City, Florida.

Poor visibility and difficult, nearly impossible driving conditions will hit the central and southern Plains on January 8th and the Midwest on January 9th. Strong winds will also cause temperatures to drop.

Heavy snow will then spread into the interior Northeast during the afternoon and evening of January 9th.

Snow and cold temperatures won't be the only problems as the storm moves into the Northeast by midweek, strengthening and expanding its impact across much of the eastern half of the US. Flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes also pose serious threats.

Along the Gulf Coast, warm, moist air will increase the threat of severe storms, with a few strong tornadoes and damaging winds possible.

On January 8, more than 15 million people are under the threat of a severe storm from Texas to Florida. On January 9, more than 35 million people from the Panhandle of Florida to the Outer Banks of North Carolina were warned of severe storms. Of equal concern is the potential for significant flooding due to strong storm winds pushing water ashore and heavy rainfall.

“Widespread and potentially significant riverine and flash flooding is likely from the central Gulf Coast to much of the eastern U.S. early this week,” the Weather Prediction Center said. “Strong onshore winds will result in widespread coastal flooding along the eastern Gulf Coast and much of the Eastern Seaboard.”

Rainfall totals are expected to range from 2 to 7,5 cm from the Gulf Coast to New England, with more than 10 cm in isolated locations.

There is serious concern about flooding in the Northeast as the next wave of rain comes on the heels of a snowstorm that brought 15cm of snow.

Heavy rain will speed up snow melt and increase the amount of water flowing into waterways, raising the ceiling for potential flooding in these areas. As a result, there is a Level 9 of 3 flood risk for parts of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania on January 4th.

A level 2 of 4 threat covers almost the entire path of the storm, from Georgia to Massachusetts.

A Level 3 of 4 flood risk also exists along the west coast of Louisiana into the Florida Panhandle due to potential flooding from the January 8 rain.

The precipitation is both a boon and a worry for Louisiana and Mississippi, both states still struggling with severe drought. Although the situation has already improved significantly since November due to the recent excess rainfall.

Some locations along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Tallahassee, Florida, have had more than 1 inches of rainfall above normal since Dec. 12, so it won't take long for saturated ground to flood.

Wind is another problem associated with moisture-saturated soil. This makes trees more vulnerable to falling onto power lines or houses. And the winds will be strong enough to cause that kind of damage.

"Gusty winds on the warm side of the storm could exceed 80 mph and cause damage across Appalachia and the East Coast," the Weather Prediction Center said. The center also warned people to "prepare for power outages" due to potentially damaging winds.

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The strongest winds will be closer to the coast.

More than 60 million people in the Southern Plains are under high wind warnings, and the number is likely to continue to rise.

The winds will also produce surf of 2,5 to 3,3m and significant beach erosion is possible due to this. Dangerous countercurrents are also likely and will continue until at least midweek.

The storm system looks set to end towards the end of the week, but it looks like another storm could follow a similar path and impact some of the same areas later in the week and into the weekend.

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