This Christmas 2022 will be white for a large part of Americans. A very deep depression at 999 hPa will rise between Thursday and Sunday, towards the Great Lakes and the northeast. This blizzard could recall that of 1967 which remains today the worst snowstorm in history for Chicago.
Up to 50 cm expected in Chicago: a historic storm?
It is a real meteorological bomb which will form between this Thursday and this Friday on the eastern part of the United States. This depression at 1009 hPa over Texas will deepen in nearly 36 hours to reach a pressure of 967 hPa over the Great Lakes. It will be associated with heavy snowfall Thursday and overnight Thursday through Friday along the Mississippi River toward the Great Lakes. On the East Coast, the air mass being milder, it will often be stormy rains. On Friday, the depression will center on the Great Lakes and will be slowed down by an anticyclone over northeastern Canada. From 48 to 72 hours of blizzard are expected around the Great Lakes then in the direction of Ontario and Quebec. The winds will be stormy with gusts that can exceed 100 km/h. Lake effects are likely in this configuration, which would amplify snow accumulations. The modeled cumulations vary from 30 to 50 cm between Wisconsin, Michigan and the state of New York, as well as in Pennsylvania.
A storm of #snowpotentially historical, as at #Chicagogetting ready for this weekend and #Noël. These are millions of Americans who risk being upset in their displacement. Besides the snow, this Christmas could be the coldest in 40 years.????????❄⚠ pic.twitter.com/WFhFKnp7Lu
— The Weather Channel (@lachainemeteo) December 21, 2022
The coldest Christmas in 40 years?
Besides the snow, the cold will be remarkable. Behind the depression, polar air will rush in towards the central plains and the Gulf of Mexico. The temperature of the air mass at 1500 m is forecast between -20 and -28°C. After the storm and the return of clearer skies to the snowy grounds, temperatures could drop, so this Christmas could be the coldest on record for 40 years. This weekend, temperatures are expected to drop to -22°C in Denver, -21°C in Kansas City, -20°C in Chicago, -16°C in Detroit, -11°C in Dallas and -2°C in New Orleans.
Cold wave in the United States © The Weather Channel
However, this cold will not be long-lasting since an upwelling of subtropical air from Mexico is expected. Temperatures will return to positive for the end of the year, towards the Great Lakes, while great mildness will return near the Gulf of Mexico.