National Election Day Weather: Some Trouble Spots, But Mostly Smooth Sailing

Today's National Weather Service hazards map
doesn't have all that many issues for people heading
to the polls. The red in California is fire hazards.
The green and dark red in Missouri and Arkansas
are floods. Parts of the Rockies are having winter weather.

 As I noted in a post earlier today, here in Vermont it's smooth weather sailing for those going to the polls today. 

In the United States as a whole, there are weather trouble spots, as there always are, but it's mostly not terrible.

The presidential election hinges really on swing states that we've heard about ad nauseum.  Those include Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona and maybe Georgia and North Carolina.

None of those states face any really remarkable or terribly hazardous weather today, so I don't think weather will affect turnout there one way or another. Besides, a lot of people in those states have already voted, so they won't even have to step out the door today. 

Michigan and Wisconsin look pretty rainy today, but people should be able to handle that. Western North Carolina is still trying to claw their way back from Hurricane Helene.  Early voting in counties hit hard by the hurricane has been pretty strong, which suggests the disaster won't hurt turnout too much in North Carolina.

It's actually cool for the season in Nevada and Arizona, which is a huge shift from the otherwise hot year they've had so far. So no wilting in 100 degree heat to vote there, thank goodness. 

Most of Pennsylvania looks sunny and warm today so no issues there. 

 There are weather trouble spots today in the United States.

 Parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri are still trying to recover from severe weather and flooding yesterday, so I imagine some polling places might be challenged by power outages, blocked roads and damaged neighborhood. 

Quite a bit of flash flooding was going on in parts of Arkansas and Missouri this morning. Parts of Hawaii are dealing with floods, too.

In several spots in the Rocky Mountains, snow and strong winds are messing up travel and making some roads hazardous. 

California, meanwhile, is bracing for a potential outbreak of wildfires today and especially tomorrow.

Overall, though, it's a rather calm Election Day, at least in terms of weather across the United States. Let's hope everything else stays calm.  Stay tuned!