Winter storm warnings and advisories are in place across nine states due to expected snowfall, freezing rain and hazardous road conditions.
Why It Matters
Snow can cause travel disruptions and create hazardous driving conditions.
Vulnerable populations, including infants and senior citizens, are at heightened risk of health issues due to the dangers of freezing temperatures.
What To Know
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings after a week of temperatures plunging nationwide from a powerful polar vortex.
Heavy snow conditions are predicted, especially in the Northern Rockies, with storm warnings in place in Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado, as well as in Minnesota, and Alaska.
Less serious winter storm advisories are in place in those six states, as well as in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
A map released by the NWS shows the areas impacted, with pink meaning a storm warning is in place, and purple meaning there is an advisory.
A winter storm warning indicates that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected. It can also be issued if sleet accumulation will be at least half-an-inch.
A winter weather advisory indicates less severe conditions, but still warns of snow, sleet or freezing rain capable of causing travel hazards.
Here is the breakdown of the areas which will see the worst conditions:
Northern Rockies and Plains
Winter storm warnings are in effect across portions of Wyoming along its borders with Montana, South Dakota, and Colorado, bringing snowfall, gusty winds, and hazardous travel conditions.
In the Black Hills on the Wyoming/South Dakota border, storm warnings are in place until 5 a.m. MST Sunday, with up to 4 inches of snow expected. Winds gusting to 40 mph may reduce visibility to less than a quarter-mile.
The Montana/Wyoming border is seeing the most-intense winter conditions. The Bighorn Canyon and surrounding areas face heavy snow through 5 a.m. MST Monday, with total accumulations between 4 and 16 inches, and locally up to 20 inches in the Northeast Bighorn Mountains. Winds gusting to 35 mph could create near-whiteout conditions, making travel nearly impossible, particularly along portions of I-90 and US-212.
The Absaroka/Beartooth and Crazy Mountains will see 10 to 16 inches of snow, with localized totals over 20 inches through 6 p.m. MST Sunday, while the Bears Paw and Highwood Mountains anticipate totals up to 24 inches. Winds up to 50 mph are expected, significantly reducing visibility and increasing avalanche risk.
Additional warnings extend to the Gallatin, Madison, and Centennial Ranges, where snow totals could reach 22 inches in higher altitudes. These warnings continue until 5 p.m. MST Sunday, with dangerous travel conditions due to blowing and drifting snow.
Residents should prepare for prolonged hazardous conditions, including road closures, power outages, and severe impacts on outdoor recreation.
Along Wyoming’s border with Colorado, a storm warning is in effect across the Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges. Heavy snow and blowing snow are forecast through 6 a.m. MST Sunday, with up to 3 inches of snow forecast. Outdoor activities are discouraged due to life-threatening frostbite and hypothermia risks.
The warning extends into northern Colorado’s Elkhead and Park Mountains. Moderate to heavy snow is expected, with additional accumulations of 2 to 7 inches. The warning is in effect until 6 a.m. MST Sunday, with slick and hazardous road conditions anticipated, especially on bridges and overpasses.
Upper Midwest
A storm warning is in effect in northern Minnesota, with less-serious advisories in place, covering much of the Upper Midwest, from eastern North Dakota in the west, through northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in the east.
The winter storm warning will affect Cook County, Minnesota, including the Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation and the Boundary Waters eastern and central area. The warning is in effect until 3 p.m. CST Sunday.
Forecasts predict snow accumulations of up to 14 inches in southern areas and up to 8 inches in northern regions. Gusty winds reaching 35 mph on Sunday afternoon and evening may cause blowing and drifting snow, making travel hazardous. The heaviest snowfall is expected over the eastern portions of Cook County.
In the rest of the Upper Midwest areas with advisories in place, 3 to 5 inches of snow and slippery road conditions are forecast.
Alaska
Alaska is facing the most-extreme winter storm conditions in the United States this weekend, with up to 3 feet of snow forecast in some areas.
A winter storm warning remains in effect for Thompson Pass until 9 a.m. AKST Monday. Snow and blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility to one-quarter mile or less. The area is expected to receive additional snow accumulations of 2 to 3 feet, with wind gusts reaching up to 45 mph. The heaviest snow is forecast overnight Saturday into Sunday morning, with snowfall rates exceeding 1 inch per hour. Conditions will gradually improve as snow tapers off Sunday evening and overnight.
In the Municipality of Skagway, along the higher elevations of the Klondike Highway, a winter storm warning is in place from 3 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. AKST Monday. The forecast predicts up to 8 inches of snow, with the heaviest accumulation around White Pass. Winds are expected to gust as high as 45 mph. Lower elevations near sea level will see rain rather than snow, but gusty winds could bring down tree branches, complicating travel.
For the southern Seward Peninsula coast and interior, heavy snow is anticipated through noon AKST Monday, with 6 to 11 inches of accumulation. Winds gusting up to 40 mph will make travel very challenging. Similarly, the Middle and Lower Yukon Valleys, including the Nulato Hills, are under a warning until 6 a.m. AKST Monday. This region can expect 8 to 12 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 35 mph.
Travel and Safety
The NWS urges residents in affected areas to limit travel during severe weather and to carry emergency supplies such as flashlights, food and water. Motorists should prepare for sudden visibility changes, blizzard conditions, and icy roads.
As the winter storms progress, more updates are expected from local authorities to guide residents and travelers through potentially dangerous conditions.
What’s Next
The duration of the winter storm watches varies from state to state, so please check with the NWS. Newsweek will keep you updated.
The post Winter Weather Warnings in 9 States As 3 Feet of Snow To Hit appeared first on Newsweek.
