This winter has been harsh for the United States, with 3 winter storms already in the past two months. The cold weather and snow is not done yet, because a new winter storm has just emerged and is going to be making its way across the length of the states this weekend. This cell named winter storm Gemini is the seventh named storm this season, and is expected to wreak havoc on the Midwest and the east coast yet again. This time, severe storms are predicted as well as heavy snow accumulations in the northern states. This storm is expected to deliver light snow, sleet, and freezing rain to the Upper Midwest and northern New England. For the most part the ice accumulations will be light, but could be sufficient enough to produce slippery roads. Parts of New York could see larger ice accumulations up to a quarter of an inch through Saturday. This could lead to downed tree limbs and power outages. To the Great Lakes and New England, 1-4 inches of snow can be expected. Maine is the only state that is going to be experiencing higher accumulations than any other state.
The second phase of winter storm Gemini is predicted to impact the Midwest and New England over the weekend. Large amounts of rain will move to the north on Saturday and Sunday. This rain is expected to move over Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, and Southern Michigan. Ice accumulations will be light, but slippery roads are a definite possibility on bridges and overpasses. Into Sunday, the development of snow will begin. This potential for snow will extend from the panhandle of Texas, Oklahoma, Illinois and Northern Michigan. Some of these locations will see 6 or more inches of snow. The most significant amounts of snow will stay Northwest of Chicago. There also may be a lake-effect snow in the Great Lakes region that could occur on Sunday.
Along with the snow and ice, a threat of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain will spread across the Ohio valley and the Southern states. Moist air will move into the Northeast Saturday night through Sunday. The temperatures will head into the upper 60’s and 70’s as far north as Philadelphia. This means that there will be a risk of significant ice accumulations. This could lead to broken tree limbs, power outages, and dangerous traveling conditions.
It is important to stay tuned to your local weather authority, to make sure that there have not been any changes to the predictions. You should always have an emergency kit handy incase of any power outages, or if the conditions are too dangerous to leave your home.