Lebanon, New Hampshire – Travelers returning home from the Thanksgiving holiday may encounter harsh weather conditions and travel delays this weekend. The National Weather Service has issued warnings of an arctic blast bringing the coldest air since last winter to Eastern parts of the country. The frigid air mass from the Arctic is sweeping across the US, with temperatures dropping into the single digits and teens in the northern Plains over the weekend. The Northeast is expected to see temperatures in the 30s and 40s, while the Midwest will experience temperatures in the 20s and 30s. Wind chills may plummet below zero in the upper Midwest and northern Plains, with some areas seeing wind chills below -15 degrees.
According to the National Weather Service, the plummeting temperatures pose a heightened risk of hypothermia and frostbite on exposed skin. Bitterly cold wind chills are forecasted in the Midwest and Northeast on Saturday, accompanied by brisk winds. The Arctic blast, combined with lake-effect snow in the upper Northeast and Midwest, is creating treacherous travel conditions and delays. Lake-effect snow occurs when cold air from Canada moves over the warm waters of the Great Lakes, forming clouds that can produce over 2 inches of snow per hour.
Southern regions are also bracing for subfreezing temperatures stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Gulf Coast, potentially causing frost in northern Florida. The National Weather Service warns that the freezing temperatures could harm crops, sensitive vegetation, and outdoor plumbing. Weather officials in Buffalo, New York have cautioned against travel in areas experiencing lake-effect snow, with some cities expected to receive up to 6 feet of snow throughout the weekend.
While some parts of the nation are facing wintry conditions, southern Texas and Florida are anticipating rain and thunderstorms. Most of the country is expected to remain dry, with temperatures either normal or above normal for this time of year. In Erie, Pennsylvania, Flights at the International Airport were canceled and the airport was listed as closed until Saturday afternoon due to severe weather. Over 2,300 flights across the US have been delayed, with travel bans implemented on certain roadways due to lake-effect snow and reduced visibility.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has advised residents to prepare for hazardous travel conditions, particularly in western, central, and northern parts of the state. A public service announcement from the US Department of Homeland Security urges individuals in heavy snow areas to limit time outdoors and avoid driving unless absolutely necessary. Safety measures include clearing ice and snow from vehicles, driving at a slower pace, and maintaining extra space between vehicles.