Snow and Ice a Possibility for the Great Lakes and Northeast

While it is not setting up to be a blockbuster storm system, a batch of snow and ice is going to move across the Great Lakes and over to the coastal Northeast through Christmas Eve, triggering the threat of slippery road conditions as Americans prepare for the holiday. Here is the latest on this developing situation.

Christmas Eve Forecast Looking a Bit Dicey for the Northeast

A winter storm is going to bring just enough ice and snow to cause problems for motorists and air travelers during one of the busiest travel times of the year. A number of major metropolitan areas and their airport hubs will be at risk of wintry precipitation, including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and Boston.

Heavy snow will be the biggest hazard for the northern edge of the system with an icy mix being more likely for areas farther to the south. In addition to causing slick conditions on the roads, airports may need to undergo deicing operations that will increase the chances of widespread flight delays.

Chicago will likely dodge the worst of the impacts from this storm. The wintry mix will slide just to the north of the metroplex. Chicago will experience the precipitation primarily as rain on Monday with a high of about 40 degrees. Any moisture that arrives in the Windy City on Tuesday will come when the temperatures are above the freezing mark. For instance, highs will reach about 38 degrees on Tuesday before falling to the freezing mark overnight. The moisture will have exited this part of the Great Lakes by this time.