Chicago Braces for Winter 'Bomb Cyclone' Before Holiday Travel Rush

The city of Chicago is in the path of a powerful winter storm that could become a "bomb cyclone" - with heavy snowfall, strong winds, and a frigid Arctic chill - potentially disrupting Christmas travel plans for millions of Americans.

The National Weather Service has predicted that the city, a major US air hub, will experience winds that could make temperatures feel like minus 35F (minus 37C), even though the area only receives 5 inches (13 centimeters) of snow annually.

Several major airlines, such as United Airlines Holdings Inc., Delta Air Lines Inc., and American Airlines Group Inc., have issued waivers that allow passengers to rebook their holiday travel without any fees. According to the automotive group AAA, an estimated 112.7 million people are projected to travel at least 50 miles (80 kilometers) between December 23 and January 2.

David Roth, a senior branch forecaster at the US Weather Prediction Center, noted that the majority of the United States is affected by this system. He added that the only areas that are not impacted are parts of the Great Basin, the Southwest, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

According to Roth, the storm will become more powerful as it moves east and will meet the requirements to be labeled as a bomb cyclone. This is determined by the central pressure of the storm, which is a measure of its intensity, decreasing 24 millibars in a 24 hour period.

The cold front that is chasing the storm, which is set to affect eastern Canada and cause storms across the Great Lakes, will cause temperatures to drop drastically in the eastern two-thirds of the United States. This cold air will reach as far south as Texas and central Florida, leading to an increase in energy demand as people turn up their thermostats to stay warm.

The Texas energy grid is being monitored closely due to the extreme cold event that occurred in February 2021. This time, the temperatures are not expected to remain as low for as long. The temperature in Dallas is predicted to reach 11F, and the wind chill could make it feel like minus 6F in certain areas.

It appears that New York and other major cities in the Northeast will be spared from snowfall, however, they could experience heavy rain and strong winds before temperatures drop drastically.

The National Weather Service has predicted that temperatures in Central Park, Manhattan will reach a high of 54F on Friday before plummeting to 15F. Additionally, a high-wind watch has been issued for Boston and its surrounding areas, with gusts of up to 65 miles per hour. Furthermore, there is a possibility of widespread power outages across the United States.

A storm is predicted to move across the United States and bring snow and rain to eastern Canada. Toronto may not experience the heaviest snowfall, but a flash freeze is possible due to the drop in temperatures, as reported by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The cold air and warm water in the Great Lakes will likely cause heavy snowfall on the eastern shorelines of both the US and Canada.

Roth noted that temperatures will begin to rise again on Christmas Day, with the exception of the Southern region, where the chill may remain for a few days.