Last week’s storm brought flooding from the Mid-Atlantic to New England with a combination of heavy rain and the current melting ice.
New York City, for example, will be under strong wind warning and will have a flood clock from Thursday night through Friday morning, with wind forecasts of 20-30 miles and gusts of 60 miles per hour.
“If anyone is dreaming of a white Christmas they have to settle for an airy and foggy holiday,” said Deanie Criswell, New York City’s emergency management commissioner. “However, the risks are real, and we want every New Yorker to be prepared for potentially damaging winds and heavy rain.”
On Wednesday night, snowfall warnings were in place in most parts of the Upper Midwest, with winds of up to 65 mph reported in parts of Dakota, making travel impossible in some areas.
Winter storm warnings for the Twin Cities of Minnesota were also in effect, with 6-8 inches of snow expected and white near conditions.
According to the National Meteorological Service, “winds of up to 60 miles per hour can cause ust rain, significantly reducing snowfall.”
A spokesman for Northwestern, West Central and Central Minnesota State Patrols said in a tweet that troops responded to hundreds of crashes, spun and stalled vehicles, as well as 11 Jacknifed symmetries between 4 and 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Minnesota Governor Tim Wallace has authorized the state National Guard to provide immediate relief services to motorists trapped in winter storms, his office said.
Expect rain above and below the East Coast
On the eve of Christmas, the storm will track the east and create different weather conditions and bring the falling temperatures to most of the Midwest. Very strong winds will also come along with hurricane warnings and advice all the way from the Gulf Coast to the US-Canada border.
As the storm moves eastward, it will be primarily a rain giver. Upstate New York to Florida Panhandle will be wet for millions of people on Christmas Eve. Some severe storms may also occur.
These hurricanes could easily allow for dangerous winds and even a few short-term storms, CNN meteorologist Jean Norm said. “Particularly at risk on Christmas Eve are the eastern divisions of North and South Carolina, parts of South Georgia and Alabama and parts of the Florida Panhandle.”
From Ohio Valley down to Tennessee Valley, rain will turn to snow on Thursday afternoon. Most parts of West Virginia and East Ohio could see -5–5 inches of snow, elevated saw more at higher altitudes.
Heavy rains following snow can also melt quickly and cause flooding. The National Weather Service in Binghamton, New York, has warned residents of the danger.
“Where there has been heavy snowfall recently, it could add weight to the old snowpacks on the roof / structure, resulting in collapsed structures,” the agency said.
The hurricane will clear most people by morning, leaving a cold and windy Christmas to the south, but the northeastern parts will be warmer.
CNN’s Taylor Ward, Rob Frahes, Raja Rajek and Dave Hane contributed to this report.
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