But already, in the higher ridges of the Smoky Mountain range, the first flakes are falling with increasing heft as a precursor to what promises to be a monumental snowstorm set to sweep through as many as a dozen states from Alaska to Appalachia. The National Weather Service issued a mixed bag of winter storm warnings and advisories for a dozen states as it warned of potential snow totals of as much as 20 inches and wind gusts of 60 mph or higher.
This is being described as a multi-facted storm because it is not only expected to produce a lot of snow but also Arctic air that has the potential to knock the wind chill values deep into the sub-zero category, said AccuWeather meteorologist Tom Kine. The cold surge is not expected to be limited to the snow bands because the eastern part of the country is expected to see plummeting temperatures in the wake of the front passage. The upper levels of the Appalachian region and the Great Lakes are also expected to see adverse conditions from the snow, wind, and cold.
Elevations above 3,000 feet can receive snowfall ranging from 4 to 8 inches, while isolated areas can get a total snowfall of up to 10 inches. Wind gusts reaching a speed of 40 mph can also make travel very dangerous. The warning issued by the agency recommends that one should have a set of essentials in their cars in case a road closure occurs.
Farther north, the mountain passes in the interior regions of Alaska, as well as along its coastline, are also expecting some of the heavier snows from the storm. Along the Klondike Highway, at elevations above 2,500 feet, 10 to 20 inches of snow, along with gusts to 65 mph, are in the forecast. This will make travel “very difficult and discouraged unless it is an emergency,” according to the NWS. Elsewhere in the state, 10 inches of snow, along with gusts to 60 mph, may fall at Thompson Pass or in the Central Aleutians.
Also to be emphasized will be the Great Lakes. In Michigan, regions near and west of I-196 and US-31 can expect 6 to 8 inches, with reducing visibility to zero at times because of blowing and drifting snow. Lake-enhanced snow will intensify along the Arctic Front, particularly over Chautauqua Ridge and Boston Hills in New York, with amounts of 10 inches or more. Bands along Lake Ontario will continue to accumulate 5 to 10 inches of snow by Friday morning, with 1 to 2 inches per hour at times in heavy snow showers.
Regarding the southern Appalachian area, Haywood County and Swain County of North Carolina can expect as much as a foot of snow at an altitude of 3,500 feet or higher. A tremendous weight of snow on trees and power lines could cause a loss of power and some roads could become inaccessible. The higher ridges of West Virginia, including eastern Tucker County, could see as much as 5 inches of snow, with winds of 50 mph. Despite the lower amounts of snow expected in other areas, including parts of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, there could be dangerous wind chill and slippery roads.
In the snowbelt area of Ohio, there will be a dramatic drop in temperature on Wednesday, with wind chill values below zero degrees at night. In many places, it appears that the danger level of this event will not be the snow itself, but the accompanying cold, wind, and poor visibility, making even mundane travel dangerous. Later this week, a new storm is expected to follow a similar track, adding to the totals for the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Northeast. While the confidence level for this outbreak is lower, this particular event is already producing enough activity to make preparations worthwhile. People are urged to monitor the latest forecast, stay home if possible, and take precautions to protect themselves from the cold. In the words of the NWS, “Plan on slippery road conditions. The best way to stay safe is to stay home until the skies clear.
