A Christmas mega-storm threatens getaway hell for millions of Americans with ‘tropical storm force’ winds to drive torrential rain and snow.
Holidaymakers are urged to consider travel plans with disruptive weather forecast until Christmas weekend.
Travel disruption predicted
The Weather Channel
Jim Dale, US weather correspondent and meteorologist for British Weather Services, said: “This is a major storm event, being fuelled by a huge amount of energy, warmth and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
“It is going to deliver a lot of rain, and that is going to be the main concern with the risk of flooding as it travels up the eastern side of the US through the week.
“However, there are going to be strong winds associated with this event, and with the possibility of large cumulonimbus clouds leading to thunderstorms, there will be the risk of tornados.”
Colder air following in its wake could bring heavy snow to the Great Lakes, New England and New York.
Warmer than average sea temperatures left after the hot summer will help supercharge the storm, Dale added.
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Heavy rain hits the east coast
The Weather Channel
He said: “Additional energy off the ocean is helping to drive these storms, which although not unusual are happening frequently at the moment.
“There may be an element of climate change which is providing yet more energy to drive these systems.”
The storm will coincide with the big Christmas getaway which will see millions of people hit the roads, airways and travel networks.
Motoring group AAA predicts 115 million Americans will hit the roads while airports are likely to be the busiest they have ever been at this time of year.
The superstorm is expected to grow stronger as it rips up the east coast this week before dying down at the weekend.
Travel chaos is expected
The Weather Channel
Deepening low pressure and 60mph winds also threaten high surf, beach erosion and coastal flooding.
Weather Channel meteorologist Jonathan Belles said: “Much of the Northeast will see rain and strong winds.
“Rain could change to snow over the interior Northeast, Great Lakes and Appalachians.
“Gusty winds ahead of this storm system could cause some scattered power outages from Florida up the immediate East Coast into Monday.
“Some gusts in these areas could reach 30 to 60 mph.”
Wind gusts could hit tropical storm force through the start of the week prompting warnings for travel disruption.
Weather Channel meteorologist Orelon Sidney said: “These winds are going to be gusting up over tropical-storm force at times.”
A ‘rain-snow changeover’ on Monday will see heavy downpours turn wintry, adding to the misery, she warned.
She said: “Even late Monday, in parts of interior New England, you are still going to see a chance of rain, snow mix going all the way into Tuesday morning.”