One of the busiest holiday travel days of the season could be disrupted Friday as severe weather stretches from coast to coast, bringing heavy rain and strong winds in the East, fire danger in the Rockies and lingering storms along the West Coast.
Rain and Wind in the Northeast
A powerful cross-country storm is moving into the Northeast, producing widespread rain and strong wind gusts. Areas from Washington, D.C., to Boston could see wet and windy conditions through the evening, while parts of Appalachia, New England and coastal Maine may experience the strongest gusts.
Lake-effect snow is also possible near the Great Lakes, raising the risk of airport delays. Conditions are expected to improve later Friday, with a milder weekend ahead aside from lingering snow and gusts near the lakes.
Extreme Fire Weather in the West
Dry, windy conditions are creating dangerous fire weather across parts of Colorado and Wyoming. The Denver area is under a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” Red Flag Warning, with winds strong enough to rapidly spread fires.
Red Flag Warnings also extend into parts of the Texas Panhandle and Nebraska. Power outages remain a concern in Colorado, where tens of thousands are without electricity due to fire-related risks.
Storms Continue on the West Coast
Rain, wind and mountain snow will persist across the Pacific Northwest and Northern California. Flood Watches remain in effect along coastal Oregon and Washington as rivers continue to rise.
Additional rounds of rain are expected through the weekend, with more wet and windy weather forecast for much of the West Coast around Christmas. Some mountain resorts have temporarily closed due to conditions but expect the storms to help build snowpack.
Calmer Weather Elsewhere
Outside the affected regions, much of the central and southern U.S. is expected to see milder and warmer conditions heading into the holiday week, offering some relief for travelers.
For more on this story, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.