If you’re planning on traveling Wednesday, be prepared.
Two massive storms are pounding the US from Oregon to New York with some combination of snow, rain and high winds as millions of people take to the roads and skies ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
Blizzard and high wind warnings are in effect across the Western states including Oregon, California, Nevada and Idaho as a “historic, unprecedented” storm began dumping rain over the region, the National Weather Service said.
Track the storms
“This intense storm will go on to produce widespread disruptions and potentially dangerous travel conditions across the Rockies and Great Plains through Saturday, before moving across the Great Lakes into the Northeast Sunday and Monday,” the center’s Weather Prediction Center said.
It’s also begun to dump heavy snow — with some mountain ranges in eastern California measuring snow piles in feet Wednesday, the weather service said.
In Oregon, Department of Transportation officials reported whiteout and blizzard conditions, urging drivers in affected roadways to pull over. In Arizona, the weather service warned of “impossible travel conditions” Thursday and early Friday with heavy and drifting snow.
Significant travel delays and road closures because of dangerous travel conditions were also expected across California, the service said.
In Santa Barbara County, officials issued a Debris Flow Evacuation Warning Tuesday night after heavy rainfall around the area burned by the Cave Fire.
“If you live or are near creeks and streams be aware that they may experience high flows and can rise quickly. If a debris flow occurs, and it is unsafe to leave, or you are unable to leave, go to high ground,” the county said.
Meanwhile, another major storm was making its way over the Midwest Wednesday.