Winter Storm “Caly” blankets US, major traffic chaos reported

Winter Storm "Caly" brought widespread snow storms across the northern US over the last couple of days, and is currently affecting the Northeast. Traffic disruptions have been reported across the affected regions, and at least one person died, so far.

The weather system blanketed Chicago on December 11, 2016, causing about 1 340 flight cancellations at Chicago's O'Hare and Midway airports. Major traffic difficulties were reported in the region between Oregon and the Midwest, as well.

According to media reports, an airplane slid off of the runway at Detroit Metro Airport, Michigan, during the afternoon on December 11 (local time), due to icy weather conditions.

Video credit: dawayne duval via YouTube

Video credit: Gen-X Multimedia via YouTube

At the same time, about 25.4 cm (10 inches) of snow accumulated in Granite Falls, Minnesota, from the storm so far, and 0.3 m (1 foot) deep blanket was reported in parts of Minnesota. More than 600 of crashes occurred due to slippery conditions. No deaths or injuries were reported.

An interstate in Oregon was forced to shut down on December 9, as a safety precaution due to icy weather conditions. 378 emergency calls were reported into the evening of December 9, according to the Portland's fire and rescue service. About 100 people were left trapped in train after a power loss occurred. A rescue attempt has been performed successfully.

One person died in a car crash in Benton County on the morning of  December 8 (local time). According to Portland General Electric, 27 000 homes experienced power loss on the morning of December 10 (local time).

Pressure field over the US, December 12, 2016. Image credit: NOAA/NWS

Pressure field over the US, December 13, 2016. Image credit: NOAA/NWS

Pressure field over the US, December 14, 2016. Image credit: NOAA/NWS

Two people reported injuries due to a toppled tree in Washington. Traffic disruptions were observed across the state, and State Route 18 was forced to shut down due to numerous accidents reported near Hobart.

Northern New England is currently under an impact of the snow storm. Traffic is reduced, and numerous schools canceled classes on December 12.

According to experts, the weather system will continue traveling eastward. Roy Lucksinger, a meteorologist from weather.com, expects moderate snow accumulations in northeastern New York and central and northern New England throughout the day. In the region between central and northern Maine, between 12.7 and 25.4 cm (5 and 10 inches) are expected.

Featured image credit: Gen-X Multimedia via YouTube