Millions of Americans are on alert for extreme weather events including tornadoes, snow, intense heat and fires. Additionally, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that a cold front will cause temperatures to plummet to 60 degrees Fahrenheit after reaching record highs in recent days.
Here are the latest Key Messages for a major winter storm that is beginning to unfold across the Western U.S. This storm is expected to bring several feet of snow and blizzard conditions to portions of the region over the coming days. pic.twitter.com/QrNEENfStv
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) February 28, 2024
Winter storm in the west
While several western states continue to suffer the impact of a powerful winter storm that continues to dump heavy snowfall, gusty winds and copious amounts of rain, other territories such as Texas and Oklahoma are experiencing critical conditions that favor the expansion of the fires that are ravaging both states. Although the passage of the storm will be noticeable between Wednesday and Thursday, it will be from Friday when the worst will arrive, when it reaches the northern mountains and the central area of California.
Fires continue this evening in NW Oklahoma as well as the Texas Panhandle. #txfire #okfire #okwx #texomawx pic.twitter.com/wyRIaZSMn6
— NWS Norman (@NWSNorman) February 28, 2024
10 million people on tornado alert
Additionally, the NWS issued tornado watches affecting more than 10 million people, including Chicago, one of the cities hardest hit by the weather events. The Windy City will also go from breaking its heat record in February (67º Fahrenheit, about 19º Celsius) to a notable drop in temperatures in the coming days. These sudden swings are especially dangerous, according to the local NWS.
[4:00 PM CST 2/27] Storms are expected to develop through 430 to 6 pm. Destructive hail and damaging winds will be the primary threats, with the main tornado threat expected to evolve after 6 PM. Stay weather aware! #ILwx #INwx pic.twitter.com/tJ6n7A18cC
— NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) February 27, 2024
Strong polar cold front in the lower 48 states
A situation that the lower 48 states are also suffering, which will suffer "a strong polar cold front" according to the NWS. "After a period of record heat widespread yesterday, temperatures in some parts of the northern plains they have fallen almost 50-60 degrees after the arrival of the front, in a stark reminder that meteorological winter is still with us for two more days. This front caused critical fire conditions in the Southern Plains as it provided a combination of "very dry, hot and gusty conditions."
Daily Max Temp Records (some monthly) are forecast to occur across the much of center into northeast of the U.S. However, there will be a rapid change, as a stark cold front ushers in 30-50 degree temp. drops within 24hrs as seen in the Northern Plains into the Upper Midwest. pic.twitter.com/nKx9mzbYa2
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) February 27, 2024
