Urgent Winter Storm Warning Emerges as Snowfall Reaches 48 Inches: 'Absolutely Nuclear'
Multiple areas of the United States have been absolutely hammered by record snowfall and bitter cold this winter, and Syracuse, NY, is among the hardest hit.
Oswego County was "pounded with four feet of snow in 24 hours," Syracuse.com reported, warning that the storm is "absolutely nuclear."
- The newspaper warned on January 2, "As much as 4 feet of snow has fallen on several towns in Oswego County since New Year’s Day, and it’s still coming. Businesses have closed and residents have been trapped inside."
- The site added: "Pulaski, Sandy Creek and Orwell appeared to be the hardest hit. Some local fire departments have been unable to respond to emergencies."
Although the amounts are less, the National Weather Service is predicting the possibility of more "snow showers" for the area on January 4 and 5. However, the good news is that the "moderate to heavy" snowfall has ended, NWS reported. Heavy snow, though, could hit other areas of the U.S., NWS warns.
Other Areas of the Country Will Still See Snow, the National Weather Service Warns
(Photo by John Normile/Getty Images)
The entire U.S. isn't out of peril from heavy snowfall. "Heavy snow over parts of the Great Lakes, Sierra Nevada Mountains, Northern Intermountain Region, and Northern Rockies.." the NWS forecast for January 4 through 6 says.
The NWS warns that some areas of the country will also continue to see snow. "Furthermore, rain and higher-elevation snow will develop over parts of the Northwest Saturday evening into Monday morning. In addition, heavy snow will grow over the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Northern Intermountain Region through Monday," the site's forecast warnings say on January 3.
Some Areas of the U.S. Are Bracing for Heavy Rain Instead of Snow
Warmer areas of the country will have to deal with heavy rain. "On Sunday, the heavy rain will continue over Northern California. Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall from Sunday into Monday morning. The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and burn scars being the most vulnerable," NWS wrote.
"Meanwhile, a broad plume of moisture will move over the West Coast, with rain moving into California/Pacific Northwest and the Great Basin. A stream of moisture-laden air will produce heavy rain over Northern/Central California and Southern California on Saturday," noted the NWS. "Therefore, the WPC has issued a Slight Risk (level 2/4) of excessive rainfall over Northern/Central California and Southern California on Saturday into Sunday morning. The associated heavy rain will create mainly localized areas of flash flooding, with urban areas, roads, small streams, and burn scars being the most vulnerable."