More winter storms for the USA
by Alex Deakin
The harsh winter weather is expected to continue this week across the north Midwest with further heavy snowfall and ice expected.
Much of northern Illinois and Iowa received around 5 to 13cm (2 to 5 inches) of snow on Tuesday with an additional 3 to 8cm (1 to 3 inches) expected by Wednesday. A winter weather warning remains in effect for the Chicago area. Bitterly cold air followed in behind the snowstorms with temperatures dipping down to -8 Celsius (18F) on Tuesday across Illinois and Iowa. The National Weather Service is warning of yet more wintry weather to hit the north Midwest and the northeast on Thursday, bringing more heavy snowfall to areas already affected.
Meanwhile, parts of the west have also been battered by winter storms with California and Arizona bearing the brunt. Heavy snow is still falling in Arizona. The National Weather Service warned of accumulations of snow up to 2 feet across the higher ground of southern Arizona through Tuesday and into Wednesday. However, the winter weather will subside across the western US as milder air moves later this week.
Very cold arctic air spreading down from Canada and colliding with low pressure systems over central USA has been responsible for the wintry weather across the north Midwest and the northeast. Winter storms are expected to continue through much of this week with lethal combinations of heavy snow and ice.
