by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:45 AM ET, Fri December 16, 2016
Travelers in the United States must be aware of the incoming weather system-dubbed Winter Storm Decima-as well as the snow and ice it is bringing with it as it moves across the country this weekend.
According to Weather.com, Winter Storm Decima is moving out of the Rocky Mountains and into the Plains, Midwest and Northeast during the final weekend before Christmas. Winter storm warnings are in effect from the Sierra Nevada in California to as far east as Michigan.
For the East Coast, the incoming Winter Storm Decima has resulted in winter weather advisories, freezing rain advisories and winter storm warnings. The cause of the storm is a southward jet-stream creating a low-pressure system in the Plains Friday, which will then move northeastward and combine with moisture and cold air. The result will be snow, sleet and freezing rain.
Travelers are being warned about potentially treacherous conditions throughout the path of the storm. On Friday, heavy snow and high winds are expected from the Northern Plains into the Upper Midwest and the Great Lakes.
As Winter Storm Decima continues to move East Friday night into Saturday, snow is expected from the upper Midwest to the Northeast and sleet or freezing rain will impact the Ohio Valley, the Appalachians and portions of the East Coast. Upstate New York and northern New England will deal with deal with more snow due to lower temperatures.
On Saturday night into Sunday, a cold air front moving into the East will result in precipitation turning to snow in the early morning hours before shifting to freezing rain or sleet by late in the day Sunday.
Areas in the West are expected to receive the most snow from Winter Storm Decima, but ice and frozen rain will dominate throughout the Midwest and into the East Coast throughout the weekend.
For those hitting the road this weekend to shop or visit family for the holidays, meteorologists are warning about the icy conditions across the country. Use extra caution when driving in the winter conditions, and double check to make sure events have not been canceled due to the weather.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
