The northeast of the country is preparing for floods and mass power outages
FOX Weather is tracking a powerful storm as it builds out of the south and packs wind gusts of more than 50 mph, knocking trees into power lines. Expected heavy rains prompted areas in New Jersey, anticipating flooding, to open shelters. FOX Weather's Katie Byrne takes us to the Garden State.
After an active weekend in the Northeast, another major winter weather system is moving across the central and eastern United States, bringing blizzard conditions, severe weather, flooding and widespread power outages.
The East Coast isn't the only one seeing brisk weather this week; Forty-nine of the 50 states were under some type of weather warning on Tuesday. North Dakota was the only state not included in any watches, warnings or advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
North Dakota was the only US state not under some type of weather alert on Monday, January 8, 2024. (Fox Weather)
Here are the latest impacts and timing of the winter weather system hitting the eastern United States
A snow storm hits the central plains. Eyes of heavy snow Great Lakes
Snow forecast until Wednesday, January 10, 2024 (Fox Weather)
Winter wakes up. A day after blizzard warnings covered parts of the Plains, winter storm warnings now cover parts of eight states in the upper Midwest and in the Great Lakes from Kansas through Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan.
The snow will also be accompanied by strong winds, which will limit visibility as the snow falls.
With cold air wrapping around this low pressure system, snow totals are forecast for 5-8 inches in northern Illinois and southeastern Wisconsin and up to a foot in some isolated areas where snow bands are forming.
Click here for the latest news on the snow threat.
Tornadoes cause damage in the Southeast
Severe weather forecast for Tuesday, January 9, 2024 (Fox Weather)
Severe weather hit the Southeast Monday night into Tuesday morning with several apparent tornadoes in the Florida Panhandle.
Packs of Hurricane warningsincluding several tornadoes confirmed by Doppler radar, have been reported across the region since late Monday, and that number will likely increase throughout the day as thunderstorms accelerate eastward at speeds of up to 70 mph.
Bay County and Walton County in Florida appeared to be particularly hard hit by the storms.
Extensive damage is seen at what appears to be an apartment building in Bay County, Florida, on Tuesday, January 9, 2024. (Bay County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)
The threat of severe thunderstorms spreads north and east through Tuesday afternoon and evening, with hurricane watches extending from Florida to North Carolina. With strong wind shear and abundant moisture available, conditions remain favorable for damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes – some perhaps stronger than EF-2.
In addition to the threat of severe weather, heavy rain will increase the risk of flash flooding across the entire Southeast.
Click here for a more detailed forecast of severe weather and flooding threats this week.
Widespread power outages and possible flooding in the northeast of the country
Power outages expected in the northeast of the country.
As the system continues to move east across the United States, the storm will bring heavy rain and strong winds to the northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday.
With already saturated ground and several inches of snow across the interior after the weekend, heavy rains combined with strong winds could down trees and power lines, leading to widespread power outages.
Strong winds will continue until Wednesday as the system leaves the region.
Click here for the latest flood and power outage threats in the Northeast.
