Weather tracker: heavy snowfall and freezing rain sweep across US and Canada

"An area of low pressure, which first developed in north-western parts of the US late last week, intensified rapidly as it pushed north-east through central parts of the US. Combining dry, cold air from northern parts of the continent with warm, humid air from the tropics, the system generated a large area of snowfall that swept through the northernmost US states on Sunday."

"As the new week begins, the storm centre will continue pushing north-east into south-eastern Canada, bringing heavy snowfall, freezing rain and strong winds to north-eastern US, Ontario, Quebec, and Newfoundland through Monday and Tuesday. Impacts are likely to be most severe around the Great Lakes: snowfall accumulations of up to 60-80cm are expected, followed by winds of 60-70mph, producing blizzard conditions and significant drifting."

"The cold front farther south will sweep through the US east coast on Monday, ushering in a polar air mass that will drive temperatures 10-25C below the seasonal average across the eastern two-thirds of North America. Sub-zero temperatures are likely to reach as far south as Alabama and Georgia."

A significant winter storm system developed in northwestern US and intensified as it moved northeast through central regions. The system combined cold northern air with warm tropical moisture, generating extensive snowfall across northern US states and a strong cold front producing heavy rain and thunderstorms from the northern mainland to the Gulf of Mexico. Strong winds fueled a major wildfire in Nebraska covering over 550 square miles. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for Monday affecting 11 million people across three states. As the storm moves into southeastern Canada, heavy snow, freezing rain, and winds of 60-70mph are expected around the Great Lakes, with accumulations reaching 60-80cm. A polar air mass will follow, driving temperatures 10-25°C below normal across eastern North America, potentially reaching as far south as Alabama and Georgia.

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