A storm is moving across the U.S. and slamming the South with wind and rain after dumping snow out West.
The system, which is heading eastward after providing wildfire-ravaged Southern California with some much-needed precipitation, is bringing winter weather and rain across the Southwest. It will continue to move east hitting nearly every region and bringing weather changes to more than 300 million.
After dusting Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park, snow caused hazardous travel conditions across Colorado and New Mexico on Wednesday into Thursday.
In New Mexico, snow would continue to fall over the northern mountains, creating dangerous roads. Forecasters also warned about the impact of gusting winds.
“The central highlands could see gusts up to 55 mph this afternoon with areas of blowing dust for the Roswell Metro,” the National Weather Service’s Albuquerque office warned.
Over the southeast mountains and Interstate 25 corridor, moderate to heavy snow would fall on Thursday in the Centennial State.
To the south and east of the storm’s track, rain is projected, resulting in potential flooding, according to AccuWeather.
Some areas from Texas to Kentucky could see as many as 7 inches of downpours. The storms could produce wind gusts, hail and strong winds, forecasters warned.
Most areas are expected to see an inch or two of rai, but some areas could see up to 7 inches, according to forecasters.
“There may be a higher risk for an isolated tornado or two on Thursday, as there will be more spin in the atmosphere compared to the middle of the week,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said.
The storms are expected to continue moving across the South, impacting the Carolinas and the Florida panhandle later this week.
There’s also a risk of strong to severe thunderstorms, including hail. Thunderstorms were expected over Louisiana, as well as heavy-to-excessive rainfall from the Southern Plains through the Ohio River Valley.
To the north, snow and ice are possible in the Midwest and Northeast by the end of the week.
“Depending on its track, the storm on Friday may bring snow or a wintry mix as far north as Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland in the Midwest,” Travis said.