Snow, High Winds Plague Great Lakes With Blizzard Conditions

While severe weather will occur along the leading edge, a powerful cold front brings snowy, winter-like conditions and chilly temperatures to the eastern half of the U.S. for the start of the work week.

A large, slow-moving low pressure system will drift from the Great Lakes into southeastern Canada today. Associated with this system, a cold front will also make its way across the Eastern U.S. Warm, humid air will be found throughout the East ahead of this cold front, while cold, drier air attempts to filter in behind it. This collision of air masses will be the catalyst for severe weather throughout the Eastern Seaboard. However, to the north and west of this system, cold air from Canada and just enough lingering moisture will create winter-like weather conditions in the wake of this cold front.

Snow will continue throughout the Great Lakes this evening. The Ohio and Tennessee valleys will also see linger through tonight. The Appalachian Spine will see snow persist this evening.

Rain and thunderstorms will exit the Northeast and Mid-Atlanticlate this evening. Interior portions of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic will likely see rain mix with and change over to snow and sleet tonight into early Tuesday morning. At the same time, expect rain for areas closer to the coast.

Precipitation will quickly come to an end across the Eastern U.S. by mid to late morning on Tuesday. The exception will be areas downwind from the Great Lakes, where a persistent northwest wind leads to lake-effect snow. This lake-effect snow will continue for most of Tuesday, then a new weather system brings a chance of snow to the Midwest late Tuesday into Wednesday.

When all is said and done, most areas that see snow today into Tuesday will end up with new snowfall accumulations ranging from a Trace up to 2 inches of snow. Higher snowfall amounts are likely for Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and northern parts of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. Here, new snowfall amounts of 2 to 6 inches are likely.

Blizzard Warnings are in effect across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and far northern portions of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. A Winter Storm Warning has also been issued for parts of northern portions of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and far northwest Pennsylvania. 

Winter Weather Advisories stretch across eastern Iowa, northeastern Missouri, central into northeastern Illinois, western parts of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and far northern Indiana. Winter Weather Advisories also cover western New York, northeastern Ohio, northern and central Pennsylvania, western Maryland, eastern West Virginia, southeastern Kentucky, southwestern Virginia, western North Carolina, and eastern Tennessee.

Widespread gusts of 45 to 60 mph or higher are also expected to travel ahead of, alongside, and behind the storm’s cold front. High-profile vehicles will be susceptible to tipping when crossing these high winds, which could pair with snowfall and low visibility to produce dangerous to impossible travel for most vehicles. 

Wind Advisories and High Wind Warnings cover parts of the Great Lakes into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. These impactful gusts will make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, and may lead to widespread power outages.

Be sure to download the WeatherBug app to stay up to date on the latest on this changing weather. It’s never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries, and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage. It’s always best to avoid traveling in rough weather as the roads will be dangerous.