AccuWeather meteorologists are keeping a close eye on shifts in the weather pattern that can wreak havoc this weekend for businesses and millions of Americans.
The storm will bring heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, snow, and strong winds to most places east of the Rockies from this weekend into early next week. In the Midwest, there's a chance of accumulating snow from Friday night. Further south and east, expect widespread heavy rain covering the southern and eastern United States.
On Friday, as the storm moves into the Plains, it will mix with warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico, leading to severe thunderstorms in the southern Plains. The system will then move to the Gulf Coast and parts of the Mississippi River Valley on Saturday.
The risk of severe storms will continue into Sunday in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states. Be cautious of heavy rain, hail, and damaging winds.
ACCUMULATING SNOW
Heavy snow is expected to move from the Midwest to Canada from Friday night to Sunday. In the Midwest, there's a chance for significant snowfall, up to 3 inches in parts of the eastern Dakotas, western Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from Friday night to Saturday. Some areas in the central and western Upper Peninsula could get up to 6 inches, with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 10 inches.
As the storm moves over the Great Lakes on Sunday and Sunday night, colder air behind it may cause a mix of snow and rain in parts of the eastern Great Lakes and Northeast. The exact track of the storm and how cold it gets will determine where this mix happens. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ in the Northeast and southeastern Canada is 18 inches.
After the storm passes, there might be a short period of lake-effect snow early next week, bringing snowbands to some areas around the Great Lakes and Northeast.
DAMAGING WINDS
Expect damaging winds in the Great Lakes, mid-Atlantic, and Northeast on Sunday into Monday. A large area will experience winds of up to 50 mph. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ is 85 mph. The combination of wind and ongoing precipitation could make travel dangerous and cause power outages in some areas.
This storm can significantly disrupt business operations and supply chains, causing a loss of revenue. Businesses in the path of this system should prepare for the following:
- Identify hazards most likely to impact your location & cause business disruptions
- Inventory equipment and identify all weather-related thresholds
- 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 road closures and downed trees
- Business interruption due to extended power outages
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