Most of US under severe weather alerts

LOS ANGELES – Nearly all states are under severe weather alerts, as a powerful storm is bringing snow and flooding to parts of the US that could hamper travel this week, meteorologists say.

In Southern California, residents were getting a taste of winter today thanks to the remnants of a storm system causing below-normal temperatures for much of the area.

Temperatures were expected to be so cold in the overnight hours Tuesday morning that the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a freeze warning for the Santa Clarita Valley, Calabasas and the western San Fernando Valley. The warning will be in place from 1 to 10 a.m. Tuesday.

“Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation,” according to the NWS.

“Extended exposure to cold can cause hypothermia for animals and people. Vehicle windshields will be frosted.”

Forecasters said temperatures in the warning areas could fall to as low as 29 degrees. Residents were urged to protect sensitive plants and give themselves extra time in the morning to defrost vehicle windshields.

“With clear skies, light winds, and a very dry and cold air mass in place, tonight (Monday night-Tuesday morning) may be the coldest night of the season so far in many locations,” according to the NWS.

Some minor relief from the cold temperatures was expected Tuesday, with “a couple of degrees of warming” possible, particularly in interior areas. More clouds and gusty winds are possible in the Antelope Valley and other areas beginning Tuesday and continuing into Thursday.

The NWS issued a wind advisory that will take effect at 10 a.m. Tuesday and continue through 4 p.m. Wednesday, followed by a high wind watch that’ll be in effect from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon in the western Antelope Valley foothills and the Golden State (5) Freeway corridor.

A man plows a snow covered driveway, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Derry, N.H. Some areas of New England are expected to receive about a foot of snow from a winter storm. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Forecasters said winds of 20 to 30 mph were expected Tuesday into Wednesday, with gusts up to 55 mph possible. Conditions will worsen Wednesday afternoon, with gusts of 60 to 70 mph possible, according to the NWS.

A similar high wind watch will be in effect Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon for Catalina Island, the Malibu Coast and western Santa Monica Mountains Recreational area, where gusts could also reach 60 to 70 mph.

“Damaging winds could blow down large objects such as trees and power lines,” according to the NWS. “Power outages are possible. Travel could be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.”

Safety tips and resources from California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services are available here.

Other parts of the US

The National Weather Service says a cyclone that developed over the Great Plains early Monday could drop up to 2 inches of snow per hour in some places.

Severe thunderstorms are likely from Texas through Florida into early Tuesday, bringing conditions favorable for damaging winds, hail and tornadoes. Image: Accuweather website

Parts of northeast New Mexico, eastern Colorado, the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, western Kansas and southwest Nebraska could experience blizzard conditions, according to Fox Weather.

Separate weather systems were impacting Hawaii with flooding and Alaska with blizzard conditions.

Severe thunderstorms are likely from Texas through Florida into early Tuesday, bringing conditions favorable for damaging winds, hail and tornadoes.

In addition to the threat of severe weather, heavy rain will lead to an increased risk of flash flooding across the entire Southeast. (With CNS report)