Much of the United States on Wednesday will continue to grapple with a mixed bag of unsettled weather — snow, rain, strong winds, flooding and freezing temperatures — that has upended daily life for millions of people from coast to coast.
Multiple storm systems began sweeping across the country earlier this week. On Tuesday, weather conditions in many parts of the country intensified, with heavy rain drenching parts of the East Coast while blizzard conditions walloped the Pacific Northwest and tornadoes ripped through the South.
On Wednesday, conditions may improve in some pockets of the U.S., while for others it may feel like déjà vu.
High winds and possible flooding in New York.
Although heavy rain will move out of the area by early Wednesday, leaving nearly 150,000 customers in New York State without power as of about 5 a.m., National Weather Service meteorologists were still concerned with lingering winds. More than 70,000 customers in New Jersey were also without power, according to Poweroutage.us, which tracks utility information.
The strongest winds were predicted across Long Island and the eastern parts of New York City, forecasters said, with possible isolated gusts up to 70 miles per hour. The severe winds could knock down tree limbs as well as scattering trees and power lines.
Parts of Long Island may see coastal flooding with the Wednesday morning high tide.
More rain for parts of Maine.
All eyes will be on the rain in the Northeast once again on Wednesday. Forecasters shared concerns over heavy rain capable of producing flooding from southern New England to southern Maine, making conditions difficult for morning commuters.
There is a slight risk of excessive rainfall across southern portions of Maine, where up to three inches of rainfall over saturated ground, along with swollen creeks and streams, will raise the potential for flooding in the region.
If the rain was not enough, the wind will be a factor as well. Wind gusts over 50 m.p.h. will be whipping through the region, particularly near the coast and for elevated areas.
Conditions will be calmer over the South.
Across the South, where at least four people were killed as storms moved through on Tuesday, conditions will be improving. No severe thunderstorms are forecast for Wednesday, meteorologists with the National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center said.
In the Atlanta area, temperatures will climb to the mid- to upper 40s with some sun. Temperatures will be slightly higher farther south from the city.
Similar calm weather will also settle over the Birmingham area. Weather Service forecasters told locals that Wednesday would be a day to “catch your breath” and enjoy a calmer weather day. But storms could push back into the area by Friday.
In the Florida Panhandle, calmer conditions will also prevail, with coastal flood warnings in effect until early Wednesday morning. However, flood warnings remain in effect for several rivers around the area, including parts of the Aucilla River affecting Jefferson, Madison and Taylor counties.
Some lingering showers for the Midwest, but temperatures will dip.
While snow began tapering off overnight, lingering bursts of snow and gusty winds will create pockets of slick travel around the Chicago area, meteorologists said.
Similarly, in Columbus, Ohio, frigid air will transform lingering showers to snow. A wind advisory will remain in effect until noon.
In Minneapolis, another one to two inches of snow was expected Wednesday afternoon and evening. However, forecasters warned that harsher winter temperatures would settle over the region on Friday, bringing below-zero temperatures and dangerous wind chills.
Snow, snow and more snow for the West.
Much like Tuesday, the weather pattern over the Western U.S. will be active, delivering another punch of heavy snow for the Cascades and Sierra Nevada.
The disturbance will then move southeast across the desert Southwest, bringing valley rain and mountain snow across Arizona and New Mexico going into Thursday.
For the Northern Plains, the focus will be on the falling mercury. A strong Arctic front will drop southward from Canada, ushering in the coldest temperatures so far this season. It’s a precursor to the storm that will strengthen through Friday, delivering another round of blizzard conditions, severe storms, widespread winds and rain to almost the same areas as this previous storm.
Derrick Bryson Taylor
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