NWS Warns of Severe Storms Nationwide, Threatening Holiday Travel Plans
In the coming days, we are set to experience one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, as noted by AAA.
“By the end of the weekend, rainfall totals of over 3-5 inches are expected through the Washington and Oregon Cascades, the coastal mountains of northwest California, and into the northern Sierra, while snowfall totals in the highest elevations of the Northwest could reach between 1 to 3 feet,” the NWS stated in its update.
Simultaneously, an “increasingly wet pattern” is developing in the Lower Mississippi Valley, which will extend to the northeastern United States and the Mid-Atlantic states, according to the NWS.
Regions of Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas were placed under severe weather watches on Friday, with the NWS forecasting that a storm system in the Gulf of Mexico could cause high winds, hail, and even tornadoes in the area.
In response to the impending storm threat, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement on Thursday announcing the activation of state emergency response resources.
Related Stories
The weather service issued a tornado warning late Thursday afternoon for areas in Texas northeast of Houston, noting that weather radar had indicated a tornado in that vicinity. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage.
As thunderstorms passed through Texas, over 100 flights experienced delays, with dozens more cancellations recorded at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Additional delays and cancellations related to thunderstorms were also reported at Dallas Love Field and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, according to FlightAware, a global flight tracking service.
The most significant weather risks were predicted for a region of Texas east of Dallas, extending to areas between Houston, parts of southern Arkansas, and western and northern Louisiana, according to Brian Hurley, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center.
These storms could continue into southern Arkansas and western and northern Louisiana after nightfall, creating a potentially hazardous situation for holiday travelers, Hurley warned.
“Visibility will be limited, and people may not be fully aware of the weather conditions,” he mentioned.
“Overall, much of the Lower 48 will experience significantly above-average temperatures in the upcoming days. This marks a continuation of the higher-than-average temperatures for regions west of the Mississippi River, while a reversal of the previously established below-average temperatures can be expected for areas east of the Mississippi throughout December,” the NWS added.
“Travelers can expect roads, airports, and cruise terminals to be more congested than usual,” stated Debbie Haas, an AAA representative. “Therefore, it is advisable to finalize your travel arrangements promptly and allocate extra time to reach your destination. We also recommend obtaining travel insurance to provide support in case winter weather or unforeseen events disrupt your plans.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
