It looks like winter is far from over, and the weather across the Midwest and Northeast is about to get worse. A strong storm is expected to bring a mix of ice and snow on Wednesday and Thursday, causing trouble for many areas.
Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham from AccuWeather said that the conditions for a major ice storm are set to hit Wednesday. The storm will continue into the Northeast on Thursday. The mix of warm, humid air and cold arctic air will lead to hazardous weather for millions of people.
The National Weather Service has warned of a major freezing rain event, starting in the Midwest and spreading to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan and the Mid-Atlantic states. Areas like Harrisburg, Scranton, State College, Williamsport in Pennsylvania, Binghamton in New York, and Cumberland in Maryland are most likely to face dangerous ice buildup.
In places like western Maryland and northern Pennsylvania, where ice could accumulate over a quarter inch, there is a higher risk of power outages and tree damage. The storm will also impact the I-95 corridor, affecting cities like Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, but the ice should be brief in those areas.
Travel could be very dangerous during this storm. Roads, bridges, and overpasses are expected to become slick, and ice could cause power outages and tree damage. AccuWeather’s Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter stressed the dangers of ice storms, explaining that even a thin layer of ice can make driving treacherous in seconds. Ice buildup on power lines and tree branches can lead to further disruptions and extended power outages.
Freezing rain happens when there’s a warm air layer in the atmosphere, with cold air near the ground. Precipitation starts as snow or rain but becomes all rain in the warmer air. When the rain hits the cold ground, it freezes, creating dangerous ice. This can cause some of the most dangerous winter storms.
In addition to ice, some areas will experience snow. While heavy snow isn’t expected, places from North Dakota to northern New England might get a light dusting or a few inches.
This storm is just the first in a series of winter weather events. A second storm is expected to hit by Friday, followed by a third storm early next week, bringing more snow and ice to the northern U.S.
