Dynamic Winter Storm Unloads Rain, Sleet, Snow in the Northeast US While Midwest Blizzard Hits Central Appalachians with Rapid Freeze-Up

According to AccuWeather meteorologists, several dangerous and disruptive weather effects will continue to develop in the Northeast in the days leading up to Christmas. The persistent and dynamic winter storm is still dumping snow, sleet, and rain across the Northeast US early on Thursday. In the meantime, the midwest blizzard causes a rapid freeze-up in some areas, including the Central Appalachians.

Rapid Freeze Up

Strong winds are expected in the central Appalachians, the mid-Atlantic, and New England. Much of the region can also expect heavy rain. The Midwest blizzard will bring several rounds of snow to some areas. On Friday, there is a chance that any rain or wet snow will freeze quickly, posing a risk for hazardous walking and driving conditions.

Even though the Midwest will experience the worst storm-related conditions, significant airline delays and a long list of flight cancellations are likely at important travel hubs as well as regional airports located in the Northeast and across the country.

At midday on Friday, roads in the central Appalachians could become icy in a matter of minutes. The freeze-up may start on Friday afternoon in the western and northern suburbs of significant cities to the right along I-95 of the mid-Atlantic. On Friday evening, the risk of a rapid freeze-up will increase across the majority of New England.

The drop in temperatures from Friday to Saturday over 24 hours may set new records.

Winter Precipitation

Through Thursday night, the storm's initial winter precipitation will cover the Northeast in a southwest to northeastern direction. According to Weather Works, rain, sleet, freezing rain, and snow are the four main types of precipitation that occur during the winter.

In the central Appalachians, the storm will start as a wintry mix before changing to rain. According to AccuWeather forecasters, travel conditions could be hazardous from western Virginia, including the West Virginia mountains, all the way up to Maine due to snow, sleet, and freezing rain. Where a rainy transition is postponed, a few inches of snow can accumulate.

Due to the rising temperatures and southerly to southeasterly winds, the majority of the storm's precipitation will fall along Interstate 95 as drenching rain.

The rain may fall at a heavy enough rate to cause ponding on a few streets and highways, and it may also significantly reduce visibility for drivers on the highway.

In some areas of upstate New York and New England, the mixture of rain and melting snow can cause small-stream flooding. Although some of the major rivers are likely to experience significant rises, flooding is expected to be restricted to exposed areas along the riverbanks because the area is still recovering from the drought.

As Strong as a Category 1 Hurricane

Starting Thursday night and continuing through Friday, the front side of the storm's strengthening south to southeasterly winds will frequently gust between 40 and 60 mph. On the other hand, peak gusts along the Atlantic coast could reach 74-90 mph, which is comparable to Category 1 hurricane strength.

According to the National Hurricane Center, with sustained winds between 74 and 95 mph, Category 1 hurricanes can cause some damage.

Due to the strong winds, there is a greater chance of tree limbs falling, power outages, and light to moderate coastal flooding. Flooding is possible during times of high tide along the New England coasts and upper mid-Atlantic from early Friday morning through late Friday evening during the storm, which is expected to cause a water level rise of 2-3 feet.

Despite the bizarre weather, there may be thunder and lightning in a few places before and during the passage of the storm's strong cold front, AccuWeather reports.