Second Major Storm of the Week
AccuWeather's expert meteorologists have been warning for days about another major storm that will bring blizzard conditions, heavy snow, flooding rain, and damaging winds to the Midwest through the South. This is the second storm to impact the United States this week. AccuWeather For Business clients using SkyGuard Notifications will receive the most advance notice and most accurate forecasts, allowing them to be the best prepared before, during and after the storm.
The storm arrived, bringing travel-disrupting snow from Nebraska to Illinois, and will move from the Midwest and Great Lakes through Friday.
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AccuWeather meteorologists expect a corridor of up to 12 inches of snow stretching from southeastern Nebraska into Michigan. The heaviest snow will fall across Michigan and into southern Wisconsin, with snow totals of up to 18 inches and an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 24 inches. A zone of snow and ice is also expected across the interior Northeast and interior New England between Friday afternoon and Saturday, as enough cold air is expected to remain in place at the onset of the storm before milder air expands northward, changing precipitation to rain.
The storm is expected to cause significant business disruptions and dangerous travel conditions. Businesses should prepare for airline delays and cancelations. Damaging winds will accompany the snow, which will result in blowing and drifting snow with localized blizzards. The strong winds can also make travel extremely dangerous and may even close highways, as well as knock out power in some areas.
An area of up to 3 inches of snow can fall from western West Virginia into Maine Friday afternoon through Sunday, with some higher amounts in the mountains of northern New York and New England. There is an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 72 inches.
Along the Gulf Coast to the Southeast, there will be the threat of severe storms on Friday. Flooding rainfall and hail can occur with any of these thunderstorms. Wind gusts to 70 mph with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 80 mph can damage trees and power lines. Tornadoes are also possible with this storm, some happening in the overnight hours. Businesses should prepare for extended power outages as cold air moves in next week.
IMPACT ON BUSINESSES
Severe weather conditions can disrupt business operations in several ways. Heavy snow can immobilize a region, stranding commuters, stopping the flow of supplies, and disrupting emergency and medical services. Large accumulations of snow can collapse the roofs of buildings and knock down trees and power lines, leading to power outages and infrastructure damage.
The storm's impact extends beyond physical damage. Businesses may face economic losses due to business interruption, reduced customer service levels, and disruptions to the supply chain. Severe weather can delay shipments and cause productivity loss due to power outages and infrastructure damage.
Businesses in the path of this system should prepare for the following:
- Retail: Shovel and salt walkways, dry high-traffic areas inside near entrances, and keep all floors clear to help prevent falls and reduce liability
- Expect ground logistics disruption from snow-covered and flooded roads
- Business interruption due to power outages
- Prioritize cold weather concerns for outdoor workers
Make the best-informed decisions with AccuWeather’s SkyGuard Notifications, with proven Superior Accuracy™
AccuWeather’s SkyGuard® Notifications are valuable for businesses preparing for severe weather events. The service provides customized weather forecasts and alerts tailored to your specific location and industry, helping you make informed decisions about when to close your business, evacuate your employees, and take other protective measures.
Want to learn more about how AccuWeather’s SkyGuard® Notifications can help you best prepare for severe storms? Speak to an expert and demo SkyGuard today.
The AccuWeather Advantage
The benefits of AccuWeather go beyond protecting the lives of employees and customers. Businesses will also reduce your operational costs through better planning and mitigation efforts, allowing you to make better weather-impacted decisions. AccuWeather forecasts will help you make the right decisions sooner and faster, keeping your people safer, saving you money overall, eliminating angst and stress, reducing your risk and liability, reducing losses, and better protecting your reputation.
