Before the new year begins, millions of homeowners across the country will be enduring a sizable winter storm that has already knocked out power in Michigan and is poised to create travel problems for countless others.
“Across the Midwest and Great Lakes by Monday, a strong storm will take shape,” says AccuWeather forecaster. Brandon Buckingham. “The storm will bring risks for heavy snow, ice, strong storms, strong wind gusts and heavy rain.”
The storm began to take shape on Sunday, December 28. Winds reached over 60 mph in parts of the Plains and Upper Midwest, according to FOX Weather, and the intensity of the gusts has already caused 300,000 customers across the country to lose power, mostly in Michigan with just over 78,000 customers.
The storm is the same system that pelted California with heavy, flooding rains on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and is expected to develop into a bomb cyclone Monday through Tuesday in many areas.
According to AccuWeather’s latest forecast, the storm is capable of producing “blizzard conditions with near-hurricane-like winds around the Great Lakes” by Monday evening. The Midwest and Northeast will endure cold air as it was in early December. Even the southernmost states will have to prepare for shocking chills.
From the Midwest to the Northeast, major cities are affected by intense winter storm conditions, including snow and ice. (The Weather Channel)
The areas most affected by snow are the northernmost states in the east, most around the Great Lakes. (The Weather Channel)
Winter Storm Ezra Moves In: Blizzard, Ice, and Snow Conditions Target Homes
The storm has strengthened as it continues to move east, according to the Weather Channel, which has officially named the system Winter Storm Ezra. Their forecasters see the system traveling quickly across the Great Lakes and New England on Monday.
However, the initial problem for most will be strong gusts of wind. The forecast will be as high as 50-60 mph, which could create whiteout conditions even in places where the snow has stopped falling.
The Upper Midwest should see blizzard conditions taper off by midday, while lake-effect snow will continue across the western portions of the Great Lakes.
In the Northeast, ice will be a factor, creating hazardous travel conditions. It will likely lead to airport delays on some of the busiest holiday travel days
As for the snow, the hardest hit, with several feet predicted, will be on the south side of Lake Superior in communities like Marquette, MI.
Elsewhere, 3-12 inches of snow is expected in the Great Lakes, Appalachia and upstate New York.
But the bitter cold is also something the Northeast has to watch out for. AccuWeather predicts that after temperatures soar to near 60 degrees in Philadelphia on Monday, they will dip into the 20s on Monday night and struggle to get above freezing on Tuesday.
Keeping your home safe during a blizzard or bomb cyclone
The harsh truth is that these types of storms can come with little warming, in most cases just a few days, and most homeowners simply aren’t prepared for it.
Winter storms and freezes caused $3.6 billion in damage in 2024 and more than $27 billion in 2021, according to NOAA.
A national survey by SafeHome.org found that only 19 percent of homes have backup power sources and only 5 percent of Americans have a fully stocked emergency power kit.
For those who live in areas of the country that experience this type of extreme winter weather, securing your home and supplies before a storm hits is vital.
For example, one of the worst scenarios that homeowners face during the winter is a frozen pipe burst. A burst pipe can cause catastrophic damage to your home and be incredibly expensive.
Homeowners should take time before a storm to track where their ducts are running, especially those along exterior walls or in drafty areas such as basements, attics and crawl spaces. Check for proper insulation and make sure outside faucets have been closed and drained completely.
Additionally, when heavy snow accumulates on your roof, ice dams can form, creating a serious but silent problem for your home.
Ice dams occur when the heat escaping from the house melts the snow on the roof. This water refreezes, usually at the colder eaves, forming an ice barrier. Over time, this accumulation traps subsequent meltwater behind the dam.
“With nowhere to drain, trapped water can seep under the roofing material and seep into your home’s crawl spaces, attic and walls, leading to costly water damage,” he explains. Mike Weissvice president of sales at Carlisle Architectural Metals in Atlanta.
Prolonged ice accumulation can contribute to long-term problems that will shorten the life of the roof. If you are concerned, be sure to call a professional to clean your roof following a major storm.