A Huge Christmas Storm Is Sweeping Across the U.S. With Power Outages, Flight Cancellations Expected
A massive winter storm is sweeping across much of the Midwest this week, unleashing heavy snow and strong winds on holiday travelers. Winter storm Elliott will be passing through the Prairie and Great Lakes regions Wednesday through Friday, with lingering effects through Christmas Day.
Unfortunately, the storm could not come at a worse time, as it is expected to cause major disruptions for last-minute shoppers and holiday travelers.
According to the American Automobile Association, 112.7 million Americans are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home between December 24 and January 2, and 2022 was predicted to be one of the busiest seasons for holiday travel in twenty years.
The storm first brought wintry weather to the northwest, and as it moves eastward, is expected to become more potent into Wednesday.
The worst travel delays will likely be in travel hubs like Denver, Colorado, and Minneapolis, Minnesota. Affected aircraft and crew delays will set off a ripple effect, impacting cities across the nation, even those not impacted by the storm. Road travelers and airline passengers alike are urged to remain flexible and have a backup plan in place.
Elliott will emerge from the Rocky Mountains Wednesday afternoon and evening, with snow beginning across the Dakotas, Nebraska, and Minnesota before continuing southward.
From the Plains, the snow will move towards the Great Lakes into Thursday.
The potential for snowfall is anywhere from 6 to 12 inches from northeastern Kansas into Michigan. Higher snowfall amounts are likely downwind of the Great Lakes.
Thanks to blowing and drifting snow, some roads could be difficult to travel, and high wind gusts are anticipated to cause widespread power outages throughout the region. From highways to sidewalks, any areas left untreated will turn icy quickly.
Outside of the snow, the storm will bring noteworthy impacts across the central U.S. as it undergoes a process called bombogenesis, when a storm undergoes rapid strengthening, allowing the storm’s barometric pressure to fall at least 0.71 of an inch — or 24 millibars — in 24 hours. Pressure plummets, and winds will rush and swirl around the center of the storm at alarmingly high speeds.
Gusts in excess of 40 miles per hour are expected from the northern plains to Texas’ Gulf Coast, with pockets of wind topping out at 70 to 80 miles per hour.
The result of both snow and wind will bring blizzard conditions in many Midwestern states, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri.
Areas further south and East won’t get as much snow, but they will experience temperatures plummeting into the teens and single digits.
Wintry weather will extend as far as the Northern portions of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, as well as the western portions of North Carolina and Virginia.
It looks like our dreams of a White Christmas will be a reality for much of the Midwest, though we truly hope that everyone remains safe this holiday season. Our personal recommendation: adjust your errands or travel plans to reach your destination before the storm hits your area and plan to hunker down with loved ones, a cozy Christmas playlist, and all of the hot chocolate. If you are traveling, check out our Winter Packing List, paying particular attention to the section on winter road-tripping.
To stay up-to-date on storm developments in your area, visit your favorite weather website or app, like Weather.com.
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With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
