Winter weather warnings for the weekend have been issued for 27 states, with up to 2 feet of snow expected.
Why It Matters
Freezing temperatures may pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants and older adults. Snow can disrupt travel and create dangerous driving conditions, while winter storms may also cause power outages.
What To Know
The winter storm warnings concern Idaho, Utah, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming, New York, Vermont, Michigan, Maine, and New Hampshire.
Meanwhile, winter weather advisories have been issued in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Massachusetts, Maryland, and West Virginia.
Several western states are bracing for heavy snow. Oregon’s mountain ranges, including the Cascades, could see heavy snow of up to 20 inches.
Wyoming’s Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges are expecting between 6 and 10 inches of snow, with higher elevations receiving more. Wind gusts of up to 50 mph are expected in these areas, creating whiteout conditions and making outdoor activity unsafe.
Colorado’s mountain regions, including the Northern and Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, are also expecting heavy snowfall, with up to 5 additional inches expected in some areas. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph could cause tree branches to fall, creating further hazards. Other areas of Colorado, such as the Eastern San Juan and Sawatch Mountains, are also to experience significant snowfall and winds through Saturday.
Wyoming could experience some of the heaviest snowfall, with some locations receiving up to 2 feet.
In states like New York, Vermont, Michigan, and Maine, snowfall accumulations are expected to range from 6 to 13 inches, with some areas seeing even higher totals. In Maine and New Hampshire, a mixture of snow, sleet, and ice is forecast, creating hazardous driving conditions through Monday morning. In these regions, snow and sleet totals could reach up to 12 inches,
Travel disruptions are expected to be widespread, with authorities urging people to avoid unnecessary travel. Blowing snow, whiteout conditions, and icy roads will make driving treacherous, especially in mountainous regions and along highways. Those who must travel are advised to carry emergency supplies such as food, water, blankets, and flashlights.
Power outages are also a concern, with strong winds and heavy snow potentially knocking down power lines. For those using generators, it is crucial to operate them outdoors and away from windows to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
What People Are Saying
NWS Pendleton wrote on X: “A weather system moving in overnight will bring advisory levels of snow accumulation to a majority of our Oregon zones, as well as the Blue Mountain and Blue Mountains Foothills zones of Washington. These conditions could impact travel times, while reducing visibility.”
NWS Cheyenne wrote on X: “Unsettled weather expected this weekend through most of next week as a pair of strong cold fronts move across eastern Wyoming and western Nebraska.”
NWS Buffalo wrote on X: “Widespread snow will overspread the region from southwest to northeast today. General snow accumulations by the end of the day will be 1 to 3 inches. Warmer air moving in tonight will change the snow over to a wintry mix with a change to rain for most of western New York.”
NWS Gray wrote on X:“Just as one storm exits, another arrives. We are looking at a winter storm over the weekend that is poised to bring some icing and over 6 inches of snow.”
What Happens Next
The latest weather warnings are in place until Monday.
Forecasts are subject to change, with the NWS regularly issuing updates on its website.
The post Winter Weather Warnings for 27 States as Heavy Snow Hits appeared first on Newsweek.
