Millions Of Americans Brace For Two Winter Storms This Week

A winter storm pushed oil prices higher as the market anticipated a draw on stocks for heating AFP / Angela Weiss

Two winter storms are set to affect multiple regions across the United States this week, with the first storm plunging temperatures below average in northern states and the second storm bringing snow and ice farther south later in the week.

In a Saturday notice, the U.S. Weather Prediction Center said temperatures “will be 10 to 20 degrees below average over the northern states by Monday morning.” The center also noted that heavy snow will fall along the Cascades on Monday evening, with a “risk of heavy rain, flash flooding and severe thunderstorms” during the coming days from the southern Plains to Tennessee Valleys.

The first of two storms is called Winter Storm Nancy.

Throughout the week, it is expected that more than 15 million Americans will have to endure temperatures below zero, CNN reported. In the Upper Midwest, forecasters are expecting “a long period of snow and gusty northeast winds” to fall until Tuesday. Sleet, rain and freezing rain will then cover the Great Lakes region by Tuesday.

Also on Tuesday, a 50% chance of precipitation is expected. Wind gusts could reach as high as 25 mph by late afternoon. Wisconsin, Sioux City, North Dakota, and some parts of Kansas have been forecasted to see at least six inches of snow, making travel difficult.

The National Weather Service in La Cross also warned that some areas in the Northern High Plains and the Western Great Lakes could see more than 12 inches of snow.

Following Winter Storm Nancy’s rampage is Winter Storm Oaklee, which The Weather Channel dubbed as “a second, stronger disturbance later in the week.” Oaklee will bring a “fresh blast of Arctic cold air” from southern Canada into the West and the central U.S. later this week and is expected to bring cold weather into the East next week.

Winter Storm Oaklee also looks to bring a “wintry mess” into some parts of Kansas and Missouri before it moves to Oklahoma and parts of northern Texas. While weather forecasters believe it’s too early to pinpoint the exact effects of Oaklee, it is expected that the winter storm will usher in snow and ice into the Northeast and the Ohio Valley.