Superstorm Nuri, the powerful remains of a typhoon that surpass the intensity of 2012's Superstorm Sandy, is bearing down on Alaska's western Aleutian Islands and could bring unseasonably frigid temperatures to much of the U.S. next week.The Associated Press reported the National Weather Service as saying what remains of Typhoon Nuri is moving off the Japanese coast and is mixing with cold air and the jet stream, which will give it the power to produce hurricane-force winds and waves 50 feet high. It could arrive late Friday or Saturday before weakening in the Bering Sea.
The storm potentially could be one of the most intensive to ever hit the North Pacific, weather service forecaster Brian Hurley said. The Coast Guard and Alaska state emergency responders were keeping a close eye on its strength.
The system is expected to push cold air into much of the lower 48 states next week, forecaster Bob Oravec said. By the weekend, high temperatures in Minneapolis will only reach the upper 20s, and mid-30s are expected in Chicago — more than 15 degrees below normal.
Snow also is coming to areas including the northern Rockies and northern Plains.
"It looks like winter's starting early," Oravec said.
