Dec 20 (Reuters) – A huge swath of the United States will face heavy snow, sub-freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills this week, likely causing flight delays and impassable roads during one of the busiest travel times of the year.
The National Weather Service is forecasting potentially hazardous weather conditions in the middle of the week, stretching from the Northwest and Great Plains regions of the country to the central and southern Appalachian area.
“With such a large and powerful storm system … it is imperative that travelers check the latest forecast before heading out,” the Service said in a short-range forecast posted on its website Tuesday.
A surge of Arctic air moving across the country behind a cold front will create blizzard conditions in parts of the Plains and Great Lakes region, while a flash freeze could occur from the mid-South to the East Coast, according to the Service.
Residents of the affected areas have taken to social media to worry about travel disruptions, the prospect of being trapped in their houses and the plight of their neighbors without homes.
“It’s inexcusable that we have people living without shelter in Chicago winters, let alone during a blizzard at Christmas,” Twitter user @laurie_merrell posted Tuesday morning.
Heavy snow is also likely across the northern Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Northwest, with the heaviest snowfall expected in the higher terrain of the Cascade Mountains, northern Idaho, northwestern Montana and western Wyoming, the National Weather Service said.
US winter storms have moved north and increased in frequency and intensity over the past 70 years, according to the US Global Change Research Program.
Blizzards are expected to dump higher volumes of snow as a result of climate change, according to the Environmental Defense Fund, as the planet evaporates more water into the atmosphere as it warms, leading to more total precipitation.
Reporting by Julia Harte in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, precipitation and cloud. When combined, these six elements make up the weather. Without considering all six, weather reports and forecasts are incomplete.
Can you hear a tornado coming?
Before a tornado hits, the wind can die down and the air can become very still. A loud roar similar to a freight train can be heard. To see also : Michigan’s largest health system is sending mixed messages on abortion. An approaching cloud of debris, even if no funnel is visible.
How far away can you hear a tornado coming? How Far Can You Hear a Tornado? Based on the analysis of data collected by Storm Track, the average distance at which a tornado becomes audible is 1.5 miles. The maximum distance is about 4 miles.
How do you know a tornado is coming at night?
Day or night – A loud, continuous roar or roar that does not fade in a few seconds like thunder. Night – Small, bright, blue-green to white flashes at ground level near a thunderstorm (as opposed to silvery lightning up in the clouds).
What are 5 signs that a tornado is coming?
List of Tornado Warning Signs On the same subject : Whitmer Announces 500 New Jobs as High-Tech Auto Electronics Manufacturer Gentex Expands into Zealand.
- The color of the sky may change to a dark greenish color.
- A strange stillness occurring within or shortly after a thunderstorm.
- A loud roar that sounds similar to a freight train.
- An approaching cloud of debris, especially at ground level.
- Debris falling from the sky.
What’s the strongest tornado in Michigan?
A look back at the only F5 tornado to hit Southeast Michigan. Flint, Mich. – On Monday, June 8, 1953, disaster struck the north side of Flint and the northern suburb of Beecher. Read also : Economic freedom in Michigan and the United States. The National Weather Service reported that the Flint-Beecher tornado was Michigan’s worst natural disaster in terms of deaths and injuries.
Has Michigan ever had 12 tornadoes in one day? The Great Tornado Outbreak of 1997 In fact, by the end of the day, 13 confirmed tornadoes had touched down in southeast Michigan, the largest single-day tornado outbreak in recorded southeast Michigan history.
Has there ever been a F4 tornado in Michigan?
Of the seven tornadoes in Michigan, one was rated F5, one was F4, two were F3, two were F2 and one was F1. That was just in one day. Michigan has not had an F4/EF4 tornado since 1977.
Has an F5 tornado ever hit Michigan?
Introduction. One of the nation’s most devastating natural disasters occurred in Beecher County of Flint, Michigan on Monday, June 8, 1953, resulting in 116 deaths and injuring 844. To date, that F5 intensity tornado was the last in the United States to resulted in more than 100 deaths.
What is the strongest tornado to ever hit Michigan?
A look back at the only F5 tornado to hit Southeast Michigan. Flint, Mich. â On Monday June 8, 1953, disaster struck the north side of Flint and the northern suburb of Beecher. The National Weather Service reported that the Flint-Beecher tornado was Michigan’s worst natural disaster in terms of deaths and injuries.
How long do tornadoes last?
Strong tornadoes last twenty minutes or more and can have winds of up to 200 mph, while violent tornadoes can last for over an hour with winds between 200 and 300 mph!
. However, ground time can vary from a moment to several hours, although the typical time is about 5 to maybe 10 minutes. Supercell tornadoes tend to be longer-lived, while those pawned by squall lines and arc echoes may only last a few minutes.
What is difference between hurricane watch and warning?
A warning means hurricane conditions are expected, while a watch means conditions are possible. Hurricane Warnings- indicate that hurricane conditions (sustained winds of 74 mph or higher) are expected somewhere within the specified area.
What does it mean when a hurricane watch is issued? Hurricane Watch: A hurricane watch is issued when sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are possible within the specified area of the watch. Because hurricane preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, the watch is issued 48 hours before the onset of tropical storm force winds.
What is the difference between a storm watch and a warning?
A storm watch, which can be in effect for several hours, means weather conditions exist where severe thunderstorms can easily form. A thunderstorm warning means current storm conditions may worsen, including heavy rain and strong winds.
Which is more severe a watch or a warning?
Warnings are much more serious than watches. A Severe Storm Warning means that large hail and damaging winds are likely in the storm, and you should go indoors immediately and stay away from windows.
