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Election Day Storm Brings Rain and Wind to Eastern U.S.

November 6, 2018
GOES East imagery of sprawling storm system spanning large areas of the U.S.

Election Day 2018 is delivering wet and unsettled weather across large portions of the Midwest, South, and Eastern U.S., as a low pressure system near the Great Lakes heads toward the East Coast. This GOES East geocolor image, seen at 11:00 a.m. ET November 6, shows the sprawling storm system that has brought clouds, rain (and, in some places, snow) to about two dozen states as voters head to the polls.

A cold front zipping through the Eastern U.S. may bring strong to severe thunderstorms to parts of the South and Mid-Atlantic, while gusty winds and rain will be the main weather story in the Great Lakes and the Northeast. In the Upper Midwest, the same storm is bringing light snow to parts of North Dakota and Minnesota.

Whether or not the inclement weather will affect this year's voter turnout remains to be seen. Research has shown that rain can reduce voter participation, particularly among lower-income voters. Given the number of close House and Senate races in the 2018 midterm elections, the weather could swing the final results – or end up being inconsequential.