Update: Much of U.S. faces foul weather; more through weekend

Updated Nov 27, 2019

Heavy snow and high winds have shut down interstates in several states in the West and Plains, while tornadoes were reported in the South Tuesday, Nov. 26. And, there’s more nasty weather in store for Wednesday and Thanksgiving on Thursday.

This tractor-trailer went off the road in Nebraska today. (Nebraska State Patrol photo)This tractor-trailer went off the road in Nebraska today. (Nebraska State Patrol photo)

Cold and snow lambasted residents from Colorado to Michigan, while a so-called “bomb cyclone” buried much of southwest Oregon, and parts of Wyoming knocking out power and closing highways. Colorado and western Nebraska are expected to have received as much as a foot of snow by the time the storm passes.

The Oregonian reports, “The Oregon Department of Transportation advised that travel along the Interstate 5 corridor between Roseburg and Medford is dangerous and not advised.” The DOT suggests people wait until at least Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 27, to travel. That is when the storm is expected to have passed.

The National Weather Service and Accuweather are calling for rain and high winds to begin in the Great Lakes states Wednesday and move into the Northeast Thursday, complicating already heavy holiday travel. Windspeeds of 40 to 60 mph are possible. Falling temperatures could deliver snow for some of the region on Friday, the busy shopping day.

Accuweather says, “Motorists, especially those of high-profile vehicles, will need to keep a firm grip on the steering wheel to avoid veering into other lanes on stretches of interstates 70, 77, 79, 80, 81, 86, 87, 90, 91 and 95.”

The Weather Channell reports another major storm will move from the West into the Plains Friday. It’s expected to cause showers and thunderstorms in the Plains, some of which could become severe Friday in north-central Texas, Oklahoma and south Kansas. Damaging winds, large hail, and tornadoes could accompany the most intense storms, according to the Weather Channel.