Storm will disrupt holiday travel

• A large storm system will affect most of the country this Christmas Eve.
• Snow and wind will hit the Rockies and northern Plains on Wednesday.
• The Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast will all see rain.

This week leading up to Christmas Eve, a large storm system will affect most of the country, with the most substantial consequences likely Thursday and Friday.

Snow and wind will hit the Rockies and northern Plains on Wednesday.

The Midwest, Great Lakes, and central Plains will see severe snow and winds on Thursday. The Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast will all see rain. Heavy snow and 50 mph winds are anticipated in a blizzard.

Friday is expected to have the most impact, as snow will still be falling heavily in the Midwest and Great Lakes while winds rage.

Friday’s winds will be highest in the Midwest, Great Lakes, Northeast, and New England. Strong winds will reach the Southeast. Still-snowing locations will see blizzard conditions.

In the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley, a foot or more of snow is likely in numerous spots.

While the snow falls in the Midwest and Great Lakes, severe rain and powerful winds will hit I-95. As the storm passes and arctic air rushes in, the Mid-Atlantic to Northeast might see a flurry of snow on Friday.

Chicago will have snow and winds Wednesday night through Friday night.

Atlanta will experience less rain than other parts of the storm, but strong gusts might cause flight delays at the world’s busiest airport.

Thursday’s rain and Friday’s rain and wind will cause problems in Washington. Despite the rain stopping late Friday, strong winds might cause delays until Saturday afternoon.

Thursday’s rain will cause delays at New York City airports, and Friday’s high winds will make matters worse.

Boston’s rain won’t quit until early Saturday, starting Thursday. Winds cause delays and cancellations.

Whether the hubs encounter rain or snow, strong winds may cause delays and turbulence.

Road travel is risky. Thursday and Friday won’t be good days to drive or fly due to blizzards and heavy rain in the Midwest.

In addition to this week’s storm, an arctic outbreak will strike everyone east of the Rockies by Christmas weekend.

This week’s temperatures will be 30-40 degrees below average, resulting in bone-chilling cold.

Rockies and northern Plains have 60-below wind chills.

Northern Plains and Upper Midwest will have sub-zero highs.

Denver could dip 16 below zero on Friday, a record low.

Below-freezing weather could hit Texas Thursday night and persist through Saturday. This will raise late-week energy and pipe-freeze concerns for Houston. Gulf Coast wind chill advisories are likely.

Once arctic air spills south and east this week and weekend, it might be the coldest Christmas in years for many.

Cold air could produce a flash freeze. New York City will drop 30 degrees from Friday to Saturday morning, from 56 to 19.

Even Florida will be freezing. Northern Florida will see the 20s, central Florida 30s, and South Florida 40s this weekend.

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