A surge of arctic air is bringing strong winds, heavy snow and frigid temperatures to the Great Lakes and Northeast, a day after a bomb cyclone that hit the northern U.S. Tens of thousands of customers were without power early Tuesday, with Michigan hardest hit. The National Weather Service predicts snow squalls and gusty winds for the Eastern U.S. New York's governor warned of whiteout conditions in parts of the state. In Michigan, snow piled up quickly on Monday, and high waves on Lake Superior sent cargo ships into harbors for shelter.
By LEAH WILLINGHAM and JEFF MARTIN Associated Press
A strengthening bomb cyclone is barreling across the northern United States, unleashing severe winter weather in the Midwest and aiming at the East Coast. The storm brought blizzard conditions, treacherous travel and widespread power outages Monday across the Plains and Great Lakes. Forecasters say the storm intensified rapidly, meeting the criteria of what's known as a bomb cyclone. The sharp cold front left parts of the central U.S. waking up to temperatures 50 degrees colder than the day before. The National Weather Service had warned of whiteout conditions beginning Sunday that could make travel impossible in some areas.
Powerful winter storms brought the wettest Christmas season to Southern California this week. Relentless winds and rain also triggered widespread debris flows and left homes halfway filled with mud. Rains were expected to ease Friday afternoon but there's still a risk of flash flooding near Los Angeles. Officials say firefighters rescued over 100 people Thursday night in Los Angeles county. Homes and cars in a mountain town were covered in rocks, debris and thick mud, and roads were washed out. The storms were the result of atmospheric rivers and were blamed for several deaths this week.
Some suburban Houston residents are dealing with cleanup following at least two tornadoes as heavy rain falls around the South and snow in parts of the Midwest. The Texas storm on Monday damaged over 100 homes though no injuries were reported. It came at the start of a busy Thanksgiving travel week in which Americans are closely eyeing the weather. Heavy rain was reported in Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia on Tuesday. Meanwhile, snow fell in North Dakota and was expected in parts of the Midwest, with more likely Wednesday in the Great Lakes region. New York's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was expected to be dry but cold.
