Until the end of the week, travelers can expect heavy snow, rain and cold weather. Thanksgiving weekendWinter storm warnings were issued for the northern part of the country on Friday, and more snow fell in the Great Lakes region.
Storm warnings and advisories extended from Montana to New York, according to the National Weather Service. Snow was expected to begin Friday and last through the weekend in some areas, with Iowa and Illinois bearing the brunt. Between six inches (about 15 centimeters) and a foot (30 centimeters) of snow is expected across much of west-central Illinois Friday night through Saturday.
So far, forecast conditions do not meet the criteria for a blizzard warning – wind speeds of at least 35 mph (56 kph), visibility of less than a quarter mile (400 meters) and duration of more than three hours, meteorologists said.
The storm that is already brought snow into parts of the northern Plains states and the Great Lakes region continued Friday. Total snowfall amounts of at least a foot are expected by the end of the storm, especially downwind of Lake Superior in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula and downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario, the weather service said. In central New York state, 30 centimeters of snow fell.
Snow squalls will develop on Friday, bringing quick bursts of heavy snowfall and dangerous white light conditions Traffic was possible in the Inland Northeast, the weather service said.
The Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains will see rain and snow on Friday. By Saturday, the snow will taper off in the Rockies and Northern Plains, but will continue across the Midwest.
Storms are forecast in the South, some of which will be severe, and flash flooding is possible along the West Gulf Coast on Saturday.
Temperatures were well below average in the eastern and central parts of the country, with highs on Friday expected in the 20s and 30s Fahrenheit in the Midwest, 30s and 40s in New England and the mid-Atlantic areas, and 40s and 50s in the Southeast.
Snowy weather on Thanksgiving Day has led to a number of traffic accidents in western Michigan.
