Major system bringing snow and rain to the Northeast
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Summary
Businesses should prepare for a major storm that will cause disruptions to operations, travel and pose a significant threat to lives and property.
Key Highlights
Threats: Heavy Snow, Blizzard Conditions, Travel Disruptions, Thunderstorms, Flooding, Tornadoes, Torrential Rains, Hail, Damaging Wind Gusts
States affected: Central U.S., Nothern Plains, Mississippi Valley, East Coast
When: Friday, December 16 - Saturday, December 17
MONSTROUS STORM MARCHING ACROSS THE U.S.
AccuWeather's expert meteorologists are keeping a close eye on a volatile storm that will bring dangerous conditions that will pose a significant risk to property and threaten lives across the county this week. The storm will have a warm and cold side, each with its own associated hazards.
NORTHEAST PRIMARY IMPACT ZONE
The Northeast is the primary impact zone of this massive system. Businesses in these areas will see periods of snow, rain, and wind that can result in travel issues through Saturday. Heavy snow will fall across the interior Northeast and New England into Saturday. Snowfalls above a foot are expected across the higher terrain from the Catskills to the Adirondacks, the Berkshires, and the Green and White mountains. Up to 12 inches of snow are expected to fall in northeastern Pennsylvania, upstate New York, and into interior New England. There is an AccuWeather Local StormMax TM of 24 inches.
Along the Atlantic coast, the intensifying storm will bring heavy rain and strong wind gusts through Saturday that can cause flooding. Except for DownEast Maine, most precipitation will fall as rain along the coast.
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS AND UPPER MIDWEST
Over the past two days, a blizzard has unfolded across portions of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, creating difficult, if not impossible, travel conditions. The snow and wind will continue across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest Thursday into Friday. By the time the storm ends across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest, over a foot of snow is expected.
Businesses in these areas should keep an eye on the storm and should:
- Be prepared for business interruptions due to extended power outages.
- Expect ground logistics disruption from drifting snow, downed trees, and power outages due to road closures.
- Prioritize cold weather concerns for outdoor workers.
Protect your business and team members by making the best weather-impacted decisions with AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service, backed by forecasts and warnings with Superior Accuracy™. AccuWeather's Snow Warning Service offers location-specific forecasts and 24x7x365 consulting services for snow, ice, blizzards, and other winter-hazard events.
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SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND TORNADOES IN THE SOUTH
In the southern part of the county, severe thunderstorms brought torrential downpours on the warmer side of the storm. The storm brought damaging thunderstorms that produced multiple tornadoes across the South.
Two people were killed in Louisiana, and several others were hurt in Texas after tornadoes ripped through the South. The tornadoes caused severe widespread damage to communities in Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
A tornado destroyed buildings and injured dozens of people in Farmerville, Louisiana, about 105 miles northeast of Shreveport.
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