A fresh wave of winter storms is lining up across the United States, with forecasters warning that a broad swath of the Midwest and Northeast faces a volatile mix of heavy snow, ice and cold rain through the coming week.

From the upper Great Lakes to the interior Northeast and the major air hubs along the I-95 corridor, travel is expected to be disrupted on roads, rails and in the skies as two cross-country systems interact with entrenched cold air and a moisture surge from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic.

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Storm Setup and Timeline for the Week Ahead

Meteorologists say the active pattern is being driven by a series of fast-moving low pressure systems tracking from the Rockies into the central United States, then curving toward the Great Lakes and Northeast.

A first wave is expected to organize over the central Plains and upper Midwest late Thursday, pulling in cold air on its northwest side and milder, moisture-laden air on its southeast flank.

That contrast will set the stage for a stripe of heavy snow from parts of Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan into interior sections of the Northeast, while major cities to the south deal mainly with chilly rain.

As that initial system lifts into southeastern Canada, a secondary low is projected to spin up along the East Coast and pivot inland.

This second storm could tap Atlantic moisture and extend wintry conditions from the central Appalachians into upstate New York and northern New England.

Forecasters highlight a window from Friday through Sunday when the worst impacts are likely, although exact timing will vary by region.

Travelers planning drives or flights between January 9 and January 12 should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions and possible cancellations.

Complicating the picture, colder air will press southward behind each system, maintaining below-normal temperatures over the central and eastern states even between storm waves.

That means any slushy accumulations on untreated roads and sidewalks could refreeze overnight, prolonging hazardous conditions long after the heaviest precipitation has moved on.

Even where snow totals are modest, a combination of gusty winds, falling temperatures and patchy ice may be enough to snarl travel and slow ground operations at airports.

Who Will See the Heaviest Snow and Ice

The greatest chance of significant snow this week is forecast for the upper Midwest and Great Lakes region, including parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Illinois and Michigan.

Forecast guidance and private weather services point to potential totals of 6 to 12 inches for some communities, with locally higher amounts in traditional lake-effect snowbelts downwind of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Erie.

In these zones, bursts of intense, banded snowfall can quickly reduce visibility to near zero and coat roads in a matter of minutes.

Farther east, interior sections of Pennsylvania, upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and interior Maine are expected to see a mix of snow and ice.

While snow amounts in these areas may generally run lower than in the central Great Lakes, even a few inches of accumulation combined with sleet or freezing rain could lead to treacherous travel.

Meteorologists are monitoring a corridor from northeastern Pennsylvania through the Catskills and into interior New England where light to moderate icing is possible as warm air aloft overrides subfreezing surface temperatures.

Along the I-95 corridor from Washington through Philadelphia, New York City and Boston, the dominant precipitation type looks to be cold rain, at least in the early phase of each storm.

However, brief periods of wet snow or sleet cannot be ruled out at the start or tail end of the events, especially at night or in the immediate suburbs where temperatures may dip just low enough.

Even in areas that remain all rain, heavy downpours and ponding on roadways could slow travel and lead to longer-than-usual commute times during peak hours.

Air Travel Disruptions at Major Hubs

For airline passengers, the greatest risk zone aligns with some of the nation’s busiest hubs. Chicago O’Hare and Midway, Minneapolis–St. Paul, Detroit, Cleveland and Milwaukee are all in line for periods of heavy snow and gusty winds that could trigger deicing backlogs, runway clearance operations and ground delay programs.

Even when these airports stay open, reduced arrival and departure rates can cause ripples of delay across the national network, affecting flights that never enter the storm zone.

As the storm complex slides east, attention will shift to the major Northeast hubs: New York’s LaGuardia and JFK, Newark Liberty, Boston Logan and Philadelphia International.

Current projections suggest these airports may predominantly face low clouds, rain and low visibility, which can still force airlines and air traffic control to slow the flow of aircraft.

Wind shear and crosswinds are additional concerns near the coast, particularly if the secondary low intensifies offshore and tightens the pressure gradient along the shoreline.

Passengers should expect that airlines will issue winter weather waivers for affected hubs, allowing travelers to rebook without change fees for trips scheduled during peak impact periods.

Even with waivers, seats on earlier or later flights can fill quickly once a storm threat becomes clear, so travelers with flexible plans are encouraged to act as soon as forecast confidence improves.

Those who must fly during the height of the storms should prepare for long lines at check-in and security, as well as limited food and service options if airport concessions are short-staffed or close early.

Road and Rail: Hazardous Driving, Slippery Platforms

On the ground, transportation agencies across the Midwest and Northeast are preparing for another stretch of difficult conditions.

In the upper Midwest, where the cold is deeper and the snow-to-liquid ratios can be high, state transportation departments are pre-treating highways and staging plows along key interstates such as I-35, I-39, I-80, I-90 and I-94.

Even so, forecasters warn that whiteout conditions are possible when heavy snow coincides with gusty winds, and travel could become nearly impossible at times on open stretches of highway and rural routes.

In the Northeast, the focus will be on a mix of heavy, wet snow in higher elevations and pockets of freezing rain in valleys and interior lowlands.

This combination is especially dangerous for drivers, as roads can appear wet but are actually coated with a thin, nearly invisible layer of ice. Steep grades on mountain passes, bridges and overpasses often freeze first and remain slick longest.

Drivers are urged to avoid nonessential travel during the worst of the storms and to carry winter emergency kits if long-distance trips cannot be postponed.

Rail travelers should also be prepared for disruptions. Heavy snow and blowing drifts can cover tracks and switch points in the Midwest, while ice accretion on power lines and signal systems may slow commuter and intercity trains in the Northeast.

Wet snow and ice can make station platforms and stairways extremely slippery, particularly during the morning and evening rush.

Operators may reduce speeds for safety, leading to cascading delays even where tracks remain passable.

Power Outage and Coastal Flooding Concerns

While the storms’ primary impact will be on travel, forecasters caution that power outages and localized flooding are also concerns, especially in regions prone to heavy, wet snow or ice.

In parts of the Midwest and interior Northeast, the snow is expected to be dense and moisture-laden, clinging to tree branches and power lines.

Even modest accumulations under these conditions can bring down limbs and cause scattered outages, particularly when paired with gusty winds in the 30 to 40 mile per hour range.

Ice accretion is an even greater threat to infrastructure. A glaze of as little as one tenth of an inch can make roads dangerously slick, while a quarter inch or more of ice on elevated surfaces dramatically raises the risk of downed trees and power lines.

Utilities in states from Ohio and Pennsylvania to New York and New England have already been monitoring model trends and may pre-stage repair crews and mutual-assistance teams ahead of the storms to shorten restoration times.

Along the Northeast and mid-Atlantic coasts, the warm side of the storm complex brings a different set of hazards.

Persistent onshore flow and low barometric pressure could lead to minor to moderate coastal flooding at high tide in some vulnerable shore communities, particularly if the secondary low intensifies offshore.

Beach erosion, overwash on low-lying roadways and splash-over on coastal infrastructure are possible.

While these impacts are expected to be localized compared with the broader snow and ice footprint, they may still disrupt ferry services, coastal rail lines and road access to barrier islands.

How Travelers Can Minimize Disruption

Experts emphasize that flexible planning and early action are the best tools for travelers hoping to navigate the week ahead with minimal disruption.

For those driving, the most effective strategy is to travel outside the core impact windows wherever possible. Shifting a long-distance trip by even half a day can mean the difference between dry pavement and a dangerous mix of snow, ice and low visibility.

When travel cannot be rescheduled, slowing down, increasing following distance and building extra time into the journey are critical safety steps.

Airline passengers should closely monitor their carrier’s travel alerts and consider signing up for text or app notifications specific to their flights.

Once winter weather waivers are in effect, travelers with flexibility may want to move flights to earlier departures ahead of the storm’s arrival or to later dates after the system clears.

In the current environment of high load factors and limited spare aircraft, same-day reaccommodation during a widespread weather event can be challenging, so proactive rebooking often yields better options.

Regardless of mode, packing with weather delays in mind is wise. For air and rail travel, that can mean carrying medications, chargers, essential toiletries and at least a day’s worth of extra clothing in a small personal bag.

For drivers, a basic winter kit including blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight and a fully charged phone can provide a safety margin if accidents or road closures trap vehicles for hours. With temperatures expected to plunge behind each storm, adequate cold-weather clothing and footwear are just as important as route planning.

What to Watch in the Forecast Over the Next Few Days

The precise track and intensity of each winter storm wave will determine where the rain-snow line sets up and which cities see the greatest impacts. Over the next 48 hours, forecasters will be refining projections based on new model runs and upstream observations.

Travelers should pay particular attention to updates on the expected path of the primary low through the central United States and the timing and strength of any coastal redevelopment off the mid-Atlantic and New England shores.

Another key variable is temperature at different levels of the atmosphere. A shallow layer of subfreezing air near the surface beneath a warmer layer aloft is the recipe for sleet and freezing rain, rather than all snow or all rain.

Small changes in this temperature profile can shift the zone of icing by tens of miles, potentially bringing significant impacts to population centers that initially appeared safely outside the threat area.

Updated winter storm watches, warnings and advisories from the National Weather Service will reflect these subtle but important shifts.

Wind forecasts will also be crucial. Gusts in the 30 to 40 mile per hour range can turn moderate snowfall into blizzard-like conditions in open country, while strong crosswinds on runways may force airlines to alter arrival and departure patterns.

In coastal areas, wind direction and strength will influence the degree of storm surge and wave action along vulnerable shorelines.

For travelers, watching both the precipitation and wind forecasts for their starting point, destination and key connections will provide the best picture of potential disruption.

FAQ

Q1. Which days this week look most hazardous for travel in the Midwest and Northeast?
Forecasters currently highlight the period from Thursday night through Sunday as the most impactful, with heavy snow likely in parts of the upper Midwest and Great Lakes first, then shifting into interior sections of the Northeast as the system moves east. Exact timing will vary by location, so travelers should check updated local forecasts for day-by-day details.

Q2. Will major cities like Chicago, Detroit, New York and Boston see heavy snow?
Chicago, Detroit and other Great Lakes hubs have a higher chance of substantial snowfall, particularly during the first storm wave. New York City, Boston and other I-95 corridor cities are more likely to experience periods of cold rain with only brief episodes of wet snow or a wintry mix, especially in the outer suburbs and higher terrain just inland.

Q3. How likely are widespread flight cancellations?
While it is too early to quantify exact numbers, conditions appear favorable for at least moderate disruption at major hubs such as Chicago, Minneapolis, Detroit, Cleveland and potentially New York and Boston later in the sequence. Airlines often preemptively trim schedules during major winter storms, so travelers should be prepared for both cancellations and longer-than-usual delays.

Q4. What is the main travel hazard: snow, ice or wind?
The answer depends on region. In the upper Midwest and Great Lakes, heavy snow combined with gusty winds will be the primary hazard, creating whiteout conditions at times. In interior parts of the Northeast, periods of sleet and freezing rain could be the most dangerous, coating roads and sidewalks in ice even where snow totals stay modest. Along the coast, strong winds and heavy rain will be the main issues.

Q5. How should drivers prepare if they cannot postpone a trip?
Drivers who must travel should allow extra time, reduce speed, increase following distance and equip their vehicle with winter essentials such as an ice scraper, blankets, water and snacks. Ensuring tires are in good condition and the fuel tank is at least half full can provide a margin of safety if traffic slows or stops for long periods due to crashes or road closures.

Q6. Are train services a safer bet than flying during these storms?
Rail can sometimes be more resilient to winter weather than aviation, but trains are not immune to disruption. Heavy snow, ice on power lines, signal problems and speed restrictions can all lead to delays and cancellations. Travelers choosing rail should monitor service alerts from their operator and build flexibility into their plans.

Q7. What should air travelers do if their airline issues a winter weather waiver?
When a waiver is posted, travelers with flexible plans should consider moving their flights to dates or times less likely to be affected, as rebooking early usually offers more options. Those unable to change dates should confirm that their contact information is correct in the airline’s system and monitor their reservation frequently for schedule changes.

Q8. How can I tell if my destination is more at risk for snow or for ice?
Generally, locations farther north and west within the storm track are more likely to see mainly snow, while areas closer to the rain-snow line may experience a mix, including sleet and freezing rain. Checking detailed local forecasts that specify precipitation type, rather than just total accumulation, will give the clearest picture of the dominant hazard for your destination.

Q9. Will these storms bring dangerous cold behind them?
Yes, colder air is expected to flow in behind each system, keeping temperatures below seasonal averages across much of the central and eastern United States. While the cold may not be record-breaking, it will be sufficient to refreeze slush and wet spots on roads and sidewalks overnight, prolonging hazardous conditions even after the snow or rain ends.

Q10. What is the single most important step travelers can take this week?
The most important step is to stay informed and remain flexible. Regularly checking updated forecasts, airline or rail alerts and local travel advisories, then adjusting departure times or routes accordingly, will greatly improve the chances of completing trips safely and with fewer disruptions.