Winter storm warnings for 8 states as travel advice issued

Multiple states across the United States are under winter storm warnings, with forecasts of heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous travel conditions over New Year’s Day to Thursday, January 2.

Snowfall is expected to range from 3 to 20 inches in different locations, and wind gusts are forecast to reach up to 55 mph. Authorities are urging travelers to prepare for potential road closures, whiteout conditions and power outages.

Why It Matters

The warnings come as many Americans will be set to travel on Wednesday after seeing in the new year.

During the 2023 holiday season, travel in the United States reached near-record levels, with the AAA projecting that 115.2 million people would journey 50 miles or more from their homes between December 23, 2023, and January 1, 2024.

What To Know

At the time of writing, there are a total of eight states under winter storm warnings, including Colorado, West Virginia, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New York, Maryland and Virginia.

Authorities are urging travelers to prepare for potential road closures, whiteout conditions and power outages.

Affected areas include the Denver area of Colorado, the Pittsburgh area in Pennsylvania. southern Wyoming, and the eastern area of West Virginia will also be impacted.

Snowfall forecasts vary from region to region, with the National Weather Service (NWS) saying that snow accumulations of up to 9 inches are possible in West Virgina, while in Wyoming they are bracing from up to 20 inches of snow.

Strong winds are forecast across the country, which may well exacerbate the snowy conditions.

Travelers in all affected regions are advised to carry emergency supplies, including flashlights, food, and water, and to check local road conditions before setting out.

What People Are Saying

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, the NWS said: “A storm tracking through the Northeast U.S. on New Year’s Day will bring rain through southern New England and rain changing to snow across interior New England, the central Appalachians, and downwind of the Great Lakes along with widespread gusty winds.”

The NWS Weather Prediction Center posted on X: “As we round out 2024 and head into 2025, above normal warmth across the eastern half of the U.S. will be quickly replaced by a series of Arctic outbreaks (…) with the coldest air of the season set to take hold through next week.”

What’s Next

The weather warnings are in effect until Thursday.

The warnings come amid reports that a polar vortex could bring the coldest January the U.S. has faced in years.

A polar vortex is a stream of cold air and could mean severe weather conditions, including heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that could affect travel conditions and lead to school closures.

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