A wintry storm system is heading for the US East Coast, bringing snow, sleet and rain, according to the National Weather Service. 13 people have already been killed in weather related incidents in the West and Mid-West of the US.
Forecasters are still unsure of the disaster’s exact path. So
far, heavy rain on Tuesday and Wednesday for much of the East
Coast and Central Plains is expected.
"If that's the case it will be your typical
soggy-rainy-delay-type situation," Lora Wilson, an NWS
meteorologist, said.
However, this same storm was responsible for thirteen deaths in
the country's West and Mid-West, NBC reports.
In New Mexico a 4-year old girl was killed in the eastern
part of the state in a road accident. While in Texas another
three people were killed Saturday in a pile up involving a dozen
vehicles.
In Texas, at least 650 flights were canceled in and out of
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport on Sunday, according to
the website FlightAware.com. 300 flights are also set to be
grounded on Monday.
"It's certainly going to be a travel impact as we see the
first few people making their way for Thanksgiving," NWS
meteorologist Tom Bradshaw told AP.
Finally! #NM getting some snow. #nmwx#storm#travel#letitsnowpic.twitter.com/jsypad6mNO
— Susan M. Bryan (@susanmbryanNM) 24 ноября 2013
Another hazard would be the traffic situation. Meteorologist
Steve Fano stressed the need for motorists to be careful on the
road.
"If nothing else, roads are going to be wet and it's going to
be cold, so caution definitely is advised in traveling," he
said.
A mix of rain and sleet began falling north of Dallas by midday
Sunday, with elevated overpasses having icy surfaces.
The National Weather Service has issued winter weather advisories across the region, with some of them to last until Tuesday morning, Reuters reported.
Snow in Texas! This was Amarillo today. @Mike_HKABB will be w/ us at 9 to tell u how cold temps will get here #FoxSApic.twitter.com/yyCZDU6C5s
— Grace White (@Grace__White) November 25, 2013
Temperatures were set to drop drastically by Monday, and
"these conditions would even be considered cold by January
standards," the advisory said.
The only warm weather the US is to see during the holiday is in
California, Florida, and some parts of Arizona.
The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the most heavily
traveled in the US.
Around 39 million people are expected to be traveling from Wednesday to Sunday, according to travel group AAA.