US election day weather could make voting difficult for some

The polls have already opened in some states for the US presidential election, but to get there some voters will need to be determined.

While the weather forecast is not a disaster – it’s not coinciding with a hurricane, for example – a blizzard is predicted in one state, while a band of heavy rain will run from north to south in the east. 

Weather conditions can have a big impact on elections, as storms or major heatwaves make it more difficult for people to leave their homes and reach the ballot box. 

Today’s weather is split between each side of the US, with a cold front facing states further west and warmer weather in the east. 

The strongest weather forecast is in Montana, a northern state on the Canadian border, where there could be blizzard conditions in the west. This is not likely to affect the election outcome, however, as the state is strongly tipped to vote for Republican candidate Donald Trump.

BBC Weather forecast that ‘all the way from Louisiana up towards the Mid West this rain could be heavy and thundery, with the risk of some flooding as well. 

There could be some snow falling in parts of Idaho, eastern Washington and Oregon, with calm weather in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic and Southwest. Breezy, dry weather in California is prompting fire concerns.

Among the swing states which will decide the poll, Michigan and Wisconsin are most likely to see rain.

Here is the weather forecast for the battleground swing states, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center.

Arizona

Phoenix and Tucson and many other regions of the state will see temperature 15.6 to 20.6°C to low 20s. Northern areas will see cooler temperatures. The state will largely be dry with only light rain possible near the Utah border.

Georgia

Temperatures around 23°C to high 20s are expected in Georgia. Southwestern parts of the state could see light rainfall late Tuesday.

Michigan

Temperatures will be above normal in Michigan with southern parts of the state 21 to 26°C. Detroit could see temperatures around 25°C. A few thunderstorms in lower Michigan are possible later in the day. The Upper Peninsula will see temperatures 10 to 15°C and 15.6 to 20.6°C and around 1.3cm of rain.

Nevada

Temperatures 15.6 to 20.6°C are expected across the state. Las Vegas could approach 21°C and Reno will be in the low teens. Temperatures will be around -5°C at higher elevations in the morning, warming up in the afternoon.

North Carolina

Temperatures in the mid 20s are expected with a few showers possible in western parts of the state.

Pennsylvania

No rainfall is expected in Pennsylvania. Temperatures will be in the mid 20s in some western regions, including Pittsburgh.

Wisconsin

Much of central and eastern Wisconsin will be 15.6 to 20.6°C. Temperatures will be around 8°C near the Minnesota border. Conditions will be wet throughout the day. The northern half of the state could see 1.3cm of rain with less expected in the southern half.

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