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Winter storm arriving Thursday could affect holiday travel

A winter storm headed into the area later this week could cause blizzard-like conditions and affect holiday travel plans.

David Cousins, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities, said snow is coming – but it’s not yet clear just how much.

But other factors will make the storm dangerous, no matter the amount of snowfall.

“The winds are really going to pick up and it’s going to get really cold. There’s the potential for wind gusts Thursday afternoon through much of the day on Friday that could be 40 to 50 miles per hour,” Cousins said. “So any of the snow that does fall will blow around.”

That could make for blizzard-like conditions on Thursday, into and Friday, and even into Saturday, which is Christmas Eve.

That, combined with temps in the single digits and wind chills well below zero headed into the holiday, could make for treacherous travel.

Cousins recommends staying updated with the forecast over the next few days, traveling with a winter kit, and modifying or cancelling holiday travel plans as necessary.

Tri States Public Radio produced this story.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

Jane Carlson is TSPR's regional reporter.