Another winter storm poses new travel challenges for regions already impacted by holiday weekend storms.

Although winter has not officially begun, the country is already feeling a late-February style weariness. A powerful new storm is moving from the Plains toward the Northeast, posing fresh challenges for travelers after a record-breaking November snowfall in Chicago and widespread post-Thanksgiving disruptions.

Monday will bring snow and ice to many of the same areas, with the system continuing into Tuesday. Snow will cover the interior Northeast, heavy rain will hit the coast, and icy conditions will develop through the Ohio Valley. Those planning travel this week may find themselves facing delays once again.

This fast-moving storm follows closely on the heels of one of the most disruptive post-Thanksgiving travel periods in recent history. The system originated in the West over the weekend, where a low-pressure area has pulled Pacific moisture into the Northwest, Great Basin, and Rockies. Mountainous regions received fresh snow, while lighter flurries affected lower valleys.

On Monday, the storm will interact with moisture from the Gulf, generating showers and thunderstorms across Texas and the Deep South, while colder air moves in on the northern side. Snow and a wintry mix will spread from the Central Plains to the Mississippi Valley, lower Midwest, and Great Lakes through the evening. Remaining lake-effect snow from the previous storm will keep parts of the Great Lakes under steady snowfall.

Cities such as Des Moines, St. Louis, and Chicago are expected to accumulate several more inches of snow, keeping shovels in use. The storm will strengthen as it moves eastward, bringing widespread rain to the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and Gulf Coast by Monday night into Tuesday, with flash flooding possible in southern regions.

Meanwhile, the northwest edge of the storm will pull snow back into the Appalachians and interior Northeast. Warmer air over colder ground may create freezing rain in parts of the Central and Southern Appalachians, where even a thin layer of ice could disrupt travel and cause power outages.

Forecasting near the I-95 corridor is more uncertain. Cities like New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Washington, DC, may see snow at the start of Tuesday, but whether it remains snow or quickly changes to rain depends on the storms exact offshore track.

December signals the start of meteorological winter, which lasts through February, and the cold will be apparent from the first week. Temperatures in central and northern U.S. regions will remain in the teens and 20s on Monday, accumulating snow and ice on previous layers. Strong winds will intensify the chill.

After the storm passes, Arctic air will settle across the central and eastern U.S., bringing the seasons lowest temperatures by late week. Some areas may approach record lows, especially in the Plains, Midwest, and interior Northeast. This Arctic surge could hint at further cold later in December due to polar vortex disruptions.

Analysis: The Ongoing Weather Challenges and Their Impacts on Travel

The current weather pattern brings a notable reminder of how quickly winter can take hold. Although meteorological winter officially begins in December, the powerful storm system moving eastward demonstrates that the cold season is already making its presence felt. This storm not only follows a disruptive post-Thanksgiving period but also introduces new complications for travelers, particularly with the combination of snow, ice, and heavy rain expected in many regions.

Following record-breaking November snowfalls in cities like Chicago, this new storm compounds the challenges faced by those traveling in the Midwest and Northeast. Monday and Tuesday will likely see continued disruptions due to snow and ice accumulation, particularly in areas already impacted by earlier storms. For instance, cities such as Des Moines, St. Louis, and Chicago are expected to experience further snow accumulation, prolonging the need for snow removal and making driving hazardous. The icy conditions extending through the Ohio Valley and potentially into the Central Appalachians increase the risk of power outages and travel delays, particularly as freezing rain impacts the southern and central parts of the region.

Moreover, the storm’s progression to the east highlights the unpredictability of winter weather, particularly along the I-95 corridor. Major cities like New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. face uncertainty in terms of whether snow will persist or give way to rain, depending on the storm’s exact track. This uncertainty further complicates planning for travelers in the region, with potential for swift changes in conditions.

As the storm moves eastward, the weather system will interact with moisture from the Gulf, bringing rain and thunderstorms to the Deep South, with flash flooding becoming a risk in southern areas. Such conditions create a complex mix of threats for different regions, with cold air meeting warm moisture in various ways, making forecasting more difficult and potentially hazardous. The quick transition from snow to ice and rain also raises questions about infrastructure preparedness and response in affected areas.

Looking beyond the storm itself, the onset of Arctic air later in the week signals a return to extremely cold temperatures across the central and eastern U.S. The potential for record low temperatures, particularly in the Plains and Midwest, suggests that this winter season could be marked by more extreme cold spells. The possibility of disruptions due to polar vortex shifts adds an additional layer of concern for the remainder of December and into the early winter months.

In summary, while the storm system will continue to cause widespread disruptions, particularly for travelers, it also serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of winter weather. As we enter December, the nation must brace for what could be an especially cold and unpredictable winter season, with ongoing challenges for both individuals and infrastructure across affected regions.

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• Another winter storm threatens fresh travel headaches for areas already hit hard over the holiday weekend