This holiday season, a massive weather warning has been issued for 60 million Americans, with sleet and heavy snow expected to move across the nation.
While the idea of a ‘White Christmas’ often seems out of reach, many areas in the United States are likely to experience wintry weather as we near New Year’s Eve and 2026.
If you’re venturing out during the days following Christmas and before ringing in the New Year, make sure to bundle up as the weather is set to be unpredictable.
The National Weather Service has announced that regions including Broome, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, and Delaware may face a ‘winter storm’. This alert is valid from Friday, December 26, at 1pm local time until Saturday, December 27, at 7am.
Additionally, a ‘winter weather advisory’ is in place for Tioga, Tompkins, and Susquehanna counties, also from Friday at 1pm until Saturday at 7am.
New York City, Long Island, and other parts of the area might see snow accumulations ranging from three to six inches by Saturday, with similar forecasts for Pennsylvania and New England.
In southwestern New York and northeastern Pennsylvania, there could even be a snowfall of a foot or more by the weekend, setting the stage for a classic snowball fight after holiday disputes at the dinner table!
AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno explained: “Accumulating snow is coming to New York City with the storm from late Friday to early Saturday in New York City. Given the current estimated track of the storm, enough snow to shovel and plow seems highly likely.”
Broome, Cortland, Chenango, Otsego, and Delaware Counties could experience up to ten inches of snow, while the broader region might see three to six inches.
Temperatures are predicted to reach the mid-20s on Friday and dip into the teens overnight. By Saturday, temperatures may rise to the high 20s, with a chance of rain on Sunday, December 28, into the weekend.
The National Weather Service has also highlighted a potential risk of freezing rain as the weekend concludes, although specific areas that may be most affected remain uncertain.
For those traveling after Christmas, the weather poses additional challenges. With this being one of the busiest travel weekends of the year, major airports like LaGuardia, Newark, Philadelphia International Airport, and JFK are under severe weather alerts.
If possible, it might be best to stay put until after the New Year to avoid travel disruptions.