As millions of Americans prepare for holiday travel, the National Weather Service has issued warnings about dangerous wind gusts and heavy snow that could create hazardous conditions from the Northwest to the North-Central US.
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nbcnews.comCurrently, 8 million people are under flood watches in parts of the Northwest, while 31 million are affected by strong wind alerts that span over half the country.
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aol.comyahoo.comThe combination of powerful winds and snow is expected to produce whiteout conditions, particularly across the Northern Plains, which could lead to extremely hazardous travel conditions.
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nbcnews.comIn addition to snow squalls that may cause rapid visibility reductions, heavy snow is forecasted for the higher terrains of the Cascades and Northern Rockies.
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aol.comThe National Weather Service has warned that additional power outages and tree damage are likely due to heavy, wet snow causing strain on trees and power lines, particularly on Thursday and Friday.
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yahoo.comWind alerts are in effect across a vast area, stretching from the Pacific Northwest through the Rockies and into the Plains and parts of the Midwest.Damaging winds could lead to numerous power outages and exacerbate already dangerous travel conditions.
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nbcnews.comIn Colorado, for instance, strong winds combined with low humidity levels are raising fire danger concerns, especially along the Interstate 25 corridor.
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aol.comWind gusts are expected to reach between 60 mph and 80 mph, with isolated gusts possibly hitting 90 mph in mountainous areas.
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yahoo.comCities like Boulder, Colorado, could experience peak gusts of 80 mph, while Bismarck, North Dakota, is forecasted to see winds up to 61 mph.
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nbcnews.comSpokane, Washington, and Reno, Nevada, are also expected to experience significant wind events, with gusts reaching 50 mph and 43 mph, respectively.
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aol.comFlood watches are particularly concerning for parts of western Washington, Oregon, and northern Idaho and Montana, where rain is expected to intensify over the coming days, heightening the risk of flooding in rivers, creeks, and streams.
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yahoo.comThe flood watches will remain in effect through early Saturday due to the elevated risk for flash flooding and landslides, especially following a month of "historic" flooding in western Washington that prompted evacuations for about 100,000 residents.
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aol.comIn Northern California, another storm is anticipated to bring heavy rain starting early Thursday, lasting through Friday, with predictions of an additional 2 to 8 inches of rain, potentially leading to further flooding issues.
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nbcnews.comWith rivers already high and soil saturated, the risk of levee breaches remains a significant concern in the coming days.
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yahoo.comAs holiday travel ramps up, the weather service is urging travelers to remain vigilant and prepare for potentially dangerous conditions.The combination of heavy snow, strong winds, and flooding could result in significant delays and disruptions across various modes of transportation, particularly in the affected regions.
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aol.comTravelers are advised to check local forecasts and stay updated on weather alerts to ensure their safety during this tumultuous holiday season.
