Powerful storm to bring freezing temperatures, high winds, and snow across Central and Eastern U.S.
A cold snap will grip large portions of the United States as a storm system begins to form east of the Rockies on November 18, 2024 with freezing temperatures and high winds sweeping from the Central Plains to the Great Lakes by November 23.
Image credit: NWS/CPC
A powerful storm system is forecast to develop east of the Rockies starting November 18 and move northeastward from the Central Plains to the Great Lakes between November 21 and 23.
The system will bring cold temperatures to the south-central U.S. and high winds to much of the eastern U.S., increasing the potential for lake-effect snowfall over the Great Lakes.
According to the Climate Prediction Center (CPC), the interior portions of the Southern Plains and Lower Mississippi Valley could experience sub-freezing temperatures, with the risk of frost expanding all the way to the central and western Gulf Coast.
The storm is forecast to intensify as it moves northeastward across the Midwest and Great Lakes, increasing the potential for high winds across much of the eastern U.S.
The westerly to northwesterly flow in the wake of this storm also increases the risk of lake-effect snow in areas downstream of the Great Lakes. However, the magnitude of the cold air, which could impact precipitation type and snow totals for some locations, remains uncertain.
According to the CPC’s hazards outlook for the period from November 20 to 26, there is a 40 to 60 percent chance of below-normal temperatures for the Southern High Plains between November 20 and 21.
Meanwhile, there will be a 20 to 40 percent chance of below-normal temperatures for most of the remaining Southern Plains between November 20 and 22.
There is a 20 to 40 percent chance of heavy snow across the Central and Northern Plains and a 40 to 60 percent chance of high winds between November 20 and 22.
References:
1 Powerful Storm System to Bring Cold Temperatures, High Winds, and Snow to Areas East of the Rockies – NWS/CPC – November 14, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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