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Powerful Winter Storms Targets Midwest, Northeast
February 17, 2022 at 09:36 PM EST
UPDATED By WeatherBug Meteorologists
Now that we have crossed over the mid-February mark, another winter weather system eyes the eastern two-thirds of the nation for the second half of the work week. Heavy snow, freezing rain, high winds, severe weather and drenching rain are all on the menu today.
The catalyst for today’s mixed bag of weather stems from moisture being pulled from the Gulf of Mexico as a cold front sweeps over the Central U.S. This front is expected to advance eastward today, bringing a fresh shot of snow, ice and rain across the south-central Plains and Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys.
Moderate to heavy snow will be possible at times from the central Plains into Great Lakes today. The highest snowfall accumulations will range between 4 to 8 inches, with isolated totals up to a foot of fresh powder possible in heavier bands. However, snowfall amounts will remain between 2 to 4 inches for most.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect from western Illinois to Maine, and across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Jamestown, N.D., Duluth, Minn., Hayward, Wis., Cadillac, Mich., Springfield and Pontiac, Ill., Plymouth, Ind., Anna Arbor and Detroit, Mich., Cleveland, Ohio, Erie, Penn., Massena, N.Y., and Fort Kent, Maine are all included.
Blizzard Warnings have been issued for central to eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, including Lisbon and Grand Forks, N.D., and Roseau, Minn.
Meanwhile, on the warm side of the storm system in the southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast, heavy rain and strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to unfold today. Rainfall amounts 2 to 4 inches is expected to fall over ground that is still frozen, prompting Flood Watches from southern Missouri into northern New England.
This wintry mess will head towards the eastern U.S. on Friday as this cold front advances to the east. The mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will remain confined to eastern Great Lakes and interior Northeast, while light to moderate rain will be in the forecast for the rest of the Eastern Seaboard.
Snowfall amounts will generally be on the light side, ranging from a coating to as much as 4 inches. However, far northern areas close to the U.S.-Canada border could see amounts closer to 4 to 12 inches. Ice amounts could also range anywhere from a Trace to as much as one-quarter inch.
This cold front will zip away from the U.S. late Friday into Saturday, with cold Canadian high pressure taking its place. This will foster drier and much more settled weather for the start of the weekend.
Knowing the forecast beforehand is the best way to be prepared for upcoming severe weather and wintry conditions. You can stay up to date on the latest weather updates and alerts using the Weatherbug mobile app or website. Additionally, having a winter essentials pack for extra preparedness is a great step, as well as staying indoors in the case of extreme weather.
The catalyst for today’s mixed bag of weather stems from moisture being pulled from the Gulf of Mexico as a cold front sweeps over the Central U.S. This front is expected to advance eastward today, bringing a fresh shot of snow, ice and rain across the south-central Plains and Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee valleys.
Moderate to heavy snow will be possible at times from the central Plains into Great Lakes today. The highest snowfall accumulations will range between 4 to 8 inches, with isolated totals up to a foot of fresh powder possible in heavier bands. However, snowfall amounts will remain between 2 to 4 inches for most.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect from western Illinois to Maine, and across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, including North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Jamestown, N.D., Duluth, Minn., Hayward, Wis., Cadillac, Mich., Springfield and Pontiac, Ill., Plymouth, Ind., Anna Arbor and Detroit, Mich., Cleveland, Ohio, Erie, Penn., Massena, N.Y., and Fort Kent, Maine are all included.
Blizzard Warnings have been issued for central to eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota, including Lisbon and Grand Forks, N.D., and Roseau, Minn.
Meanwhile, on the warm side of the storm system in the southern Plains, Lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast, heavy rain and strong to severe thunderstorms are expected to unfold today. Rainfall amounts 2 to 4 inches is expected to fall over ground that is still frozen, prompting Flood Watches from southern Missouri into northern New England.
This wintry mess will head towards the eastern U.S. on Friday as this cold front advances to the east. The mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will remain confined to eastern Great Lakes and interior Northeast, while light to moderate rain will be in the forecast for the rest of the Eastern Seaboard.
Snowfall amounts will generally be on the light side, ranging from a coating to as much as 4 inches. However, far northern areas close to the U.S.-Canada border could see amounts closer to 4 to 12 inches. Ice amounts could also range anywhere from a Trace to as much as one-quarter inch.
This cold front will zip away from the U.S. late Friday into Saturday, with cold Canadian high pressure taking its place. This will foster drier and much more settled weather for the start of the weekend.
Knowing the forecast beforehand is the best way to be prepared for upcoming severe weather and wintry conditions. You can stay up to date on the latest weather updates and alerts using the Weatherbug mobile app or website. Additionally, having a winter essentials pack for extra preparedness is a great step, as well as staying indoors in the case of extreme weather.