New York gets lucky as New Year’s Eve weather forecast predicts huge winter storm for central US
New Yorkers can expect mild weather this year for New Year’s Eve when the ball drops in Times Square, with no rain and highs in the mid-50s.
But break out the umbrellas and rain gear for New Year’s Day when rain is predicted for the New York-area as temperatures remain in the mid-50s.
Monday’s forecast for NYC brings a big drop in temperatures plunging to low-30s, so bundle up.
Meanwhile, the center of the country is bracing for some serious snowfall for New Year’s Eve.
A huge winter storm is on track to hit the Midwest and Great Plains as the ball drops in Times Square.
Travel-halting snowfall is expected in at least 18 states in the center of the country, according to AccuWeather meteorologists.
![A large winter storm is threatening the Midwest and Great Plains on New Year's Eve.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/new-years-weather.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=867)
The winter storm hits after more than a foot of snow dropped on Southern California and was moving through the Colorado Rockies.
![Traffic is turned around on the northbound 5 Freeway just before Gorman, CA as a passing cold storm brought snow to parts of Southern California.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/12/12673265b.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1024)
#FirstAlertWeather: Colder air is filtering in across the western Plains and Upper Midwest, while a winter storm brewing in the Rockies will impact parts of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, southern Wisconsin, & lower Michigan New Year's Day into Sunday. #wsawwx pic.twitter.com/ixKsMrtiC7
— Jeremy Tabin (@Jeremy_WSAW) December 31, 2021
Winter storm watches have been issued for five states: Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois.
The metro areas of Denver, Chicago, Des Moines, Iowa and Kansas City, Missouri are expected to be hit by the storms this New Year’s weekend.
Experts are predicting dangerous travel conditions on New Years Eve going into New Years Day.
The winter storm could also bring an outbreak of tornadoes from Texas to Ohio.
Key Messages for the upcoming New Year's #winter storm over the Central Plains to the Great Lakes have been updated.
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) December 30, 2021
More info on the Winter Storm Severity Index (WSSI): https://t.co/HsbVv96wRz pic.twitter.com/yteWdav3FB
Slippery road conditions are expected throughout the Plains states, and flight delays and cancellations are expected throughout the country as planes are grounded for the storm.
More than 1,000 flights have already been canceled around the US as Friday morning.