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.
When will polls close in the US?
10pm UK (5pm Eastern Time): An embargo on reporting exit polls will be lifted, but while voting is still ongoing, they will not be able to project an overall winner. However, they could predict the result in individual states which are not battlegrounds. At this time, voting will end in Indiana and most of Kentucky.
Midnight UK/7pm ET: Polls will close in nine states over the next hour including swing states Georgia and North Carolina.
1am UK/8pm ET: Polls in about half the country will have now closed, including in key state Pennsylvania.
2am UK/9pm ET: Polls close in 15 states, including Arizona, Michigan and Wisconsin.
3am UK/10pm ET: Polls close in the last remaining swing state, Nevada.
4am/11pm ET: The last polls will close over the next two hours including California and Alaska.
It may be possible to project the winner by morning, however some close presidential votes have taken weeks to call due to the narrow margins involved, with recounts needed.
In 2020, the result was called on November 7, four days after polls closed.
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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