Western storms bring flooding threat as cold blast hits Midwest and East Coast

Storms could bring flooding to the Northwest on busiest travel day of the year.

ByABC News
November 21, 2017, 7:55 AM

— -- It’s a warmer day ahead for the Northeast with yesterday's lake effect snow long gone. Highs will be in the 50s for many areas.

Our attention turns now to the West where serious of storms will bring a threat of flooding to Washington state

PHOTO: Storms are brewing in the Northwest ahead of the busiest travel day of the year.
Storms are brewing in the Northwest ahead of the busiest travel day of the year.

There are flood watches for Seattle and most of western Washington state through Thursday.

This morning, the next storm system is already moving in, bringing very warm air with rain reaching even the mountains.

PHOTO: Some areas of the Northwest could see up to 6 inches of rain.
Some areas of the Northwest could see up to 6 inches of rain.

By tomorrow, more rain with mild temps will continue for the Pacific Northwest, this could result in flooding.

On Thursday, the cold front finally reaches the coast and will bring additional rain, possibly heavy at times. Flooding could be possible all the way to the mountains.

Over the next 48 to 56 hours, some areas could see more than a half-a-foot of rain.

More cold air for the Midwest and the Northeast

After one warm day for the Midwest and the Great Lakes, a new shot of cold air is moving in today. Single digits and teens are possible for the Great Lakes and the northern Plains.

This new cold blast moves east Wednesday afternoon and the coldest wind chills will be Thursday morning, teens and 20s for most of the Northeast, even the mid-South will feel like its below freezing.

Holiday travel forecast

For the busiest travel day of the year, Wednesday, most of the country does not look too bad, but we do have a few trouble spots.

The worst weather will be in the Pacific Northwest on I-5 and I-90 with flooding possible from Seattle to Portland and east to Spokane.

In the Northeast, not looking for anything major, but a few lake effect snow bands could cause slippery roads in western NY and PA on I-90.

Rain and a few thunderstorms are possible for central Florida on I-95 and I-75.

PHOTO: The Midwest and Northeast are bracing for bitter cold temperatures.
The Midwest and Northeast are bracing for bitter cold temperatures.

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