Canada and United States – Weather for Central, Eastern Regions

Two expansive storm systems are expected to bring severe thunderstorms, rain, ice, sleet, and snow to a broad area from eastern Texas to New Brunswick Dec. 20-22. The storms will likely cause transport disruptions and some power outages across their paths, but the extent of potential problems remains unclear due to uncertainty about their tracks. Ice, sleet, and snow are possible along a northeast diagonal from northcentral Texas to southern Quebec. Severe thunderstorms might form in the southcentral US, from southeastern Texas to the central Florida Panhandle. The southern Appalachian Mountains, middle Mississippi River Valley, Ohio River Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and southern New England are forecast to mostly receive rain. Potentially disruptive weather conditions will probably begin forming in the US Dec. 20. Moisture coupled with cold surface temperatures could produce dense fog in Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, New York, and southern New England. As warm air from the Gulf of Mexico tracks northeastward Dec. 21, precipitation is forecast to spread over most of the affected areas. Weather conditions will likely be worst in southern Ontario and the eastern southcentral US. Freezing rain is possible in southern Ontario, and tornadoes might form in eastern Texas, northwestern Louisiana, and southwestern Arkansas. Potential ice accumulations, storm damage, and lingering cloud cover could prolong transport and utility disruptions through Dec. 22. Low cloud ceilings, fog, snow, and rain will probably produce delays at airports.