A massive winter storm is expected to slam the country this week with a potential bomb cyclone that could wreak havoc on holiday travel as more than 110 million Americans are expected to take to the roads and air.
The storm will bring extreme cold, dangerous wind chills, and blizzard conditions across the Plains, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and the Northeast between Wednesday and Friday night, according to the National Weather Service.
It's expected to strengthen so rapidly that it becomes a 'bomb cyclone,' which is a storm that intensifies quickly, with impacts of severe winter weather, rain, damaging winds and coastal flooding.
Major airlines have issued travel waivers ahead of the winter storm, specifically United Airlines, which is headquartered in Chicago. JetBlue, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest and Alaska Airlines are also offering waivers.
A winter storm is expected to slam the country with a potential bomb cyclone that could wreak havoc on holiday travel as more than 110M Americans are expected to take to the roads and air
The storm will bring extreme cold and blizzard conditions across the Plains, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and the Northeast between Wednesday and Friday night. Pictured: Duluth, Minnesota
More than 100 million people are expected to travel this week ahead of the holidays, AAA reported. But with a winter storm on the horizon, JetBlack travelers should expect extensive delays and cancelations at the airport.
Passengers should make sure they check with their air carriers before they leave the house and get to the airport early, AAA advised, adding that the number of people flying will come close to pre-pandemic levels.
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The outlet reported that 90 percent are traveling by car this holiday season, and said safety is a chief concern and that travelers should pack a cell phone charger, a warm coat, some water and snacks in case they are stuck in their car.
Temperatures are expected to plunge dangerously low in some areas of the country a person could get frostbite on exposed skin in as little as five minutes, according to a CNN meteorologist report.
The mercury drop has a potential to create the coldest Christmas Day in nearly 40 years for millions across the country, the report stated.
In Chicago, Christmas Day has a forecasted high of only 12 degrees — which would make it the coldest Christmas since 1996.
More than 100m people are expected to travel this week ahead of the holidays, AAA reported. But with a winter storm on the horizon, travelers should expect delays and cancelations
The Midwest and Great Lakes region could see a major blizzard beginning Thursday, while cold air moving east could bring a flash freeze caused by a rapid temperature drop
On Wednesday, the cyclone will first form over the High Plains of Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico, and then to Memphis by noon on Thursday
On Wednesday, the cyclone will first form over the High Plains of Colorado, Oklahoma and New Mexico, and then move to Memphis by noontime on Thursday.
There is the potential for 6 to 12 inches of snow to fall just north of the storm track, which AccuWeather meteorologists believe will stretch from northeastern Kansas into Michigan.
The Midwest and Great Lakes region could see a major blizzard beginning Thursday, while cold air moving east could bring a flash freeze caused by a rapid temperature drop across the country, according to the National Weather Service.
'It does not look like a good day to be traveling across the Midwest on Friday,' said Greg Carbin, chief of forecast operations at the NWS Weather Prediction Center. 'It'll definitely be feeling like winter almost from coast to coast.'
Airports and roads from Chicago to the St. Louis areas could suffer disruptions beginning Thursday, while the rest of the country battles with falling temperatures, he warned.
