The federal National Weather Service (NWS) has imposed winter weather advisory alerts for parts of California, Nevada, Michigan, Maine and New York state.
Why It Matters
According to the NWS, up to 14 inches of snow could hit some elevated areas over the weekend, though four-10 inches is forecast to be more typical.
The agency warns the adverse weather could have a serious impact on travel which could become “very difficult to impossible” in the worst impacted areas, with drivers urged to drive slowly and take caution. Freezing temperatures can endanger health, particularly of vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, whilst snow can lead to dangerous driving conditions.
What To Know
NWS winter weather advisory alerts are in place for a swath of east-central California along the Nevada border, along with patches further south, parts of north-eastern Nevada, north-western Michigan, and northern Maine and New York state.
In eastern California, the alert covers a wide area around the cities of Chester, Quincy and Blue Canyon until 1 p.m. PST on Monday for areas over 4,500 feet. Snow accumulations of between one and five inches are expected between 4,500 and 6,000 feet, along with between four and 10 inches for areas above 6,000 feet.
The NWS advises motorists to “plan on slippery road conditions,” adding: “The hazardous conditions could impact the Sunday morning through Monday morning commutes.”
Warnings are also in place for mountainous areas of San Bernardino and Riverside counties until 4 p.m. on Monday, with between three and five inches of snow expected for areas above 5,500 feet and wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour.
Around Yosemite National Park, warnings are in place between 10 p.m. PST on Saturday and 10 p.m. PST on Monday, with wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour and snow accumulations of up to 14 inches at the highest elevations. In this area, roads could become hazardous and travel “very difficult to impossible.”
An alert also applies to the Greater Lake Tahoe area and Mono County in Nevada from 10 p.m. on Sunday to 4 p.m. on Monday PST. Snow accumulations of up to eight inches should be expected at the highest areas, making travel “very difficult.” Wind gusts could peak at 45 miles per hour bringing down tree branches.
For New York state, the alert applies across Oswego, Oneida, Jefferson and Lewis counties including the cities of Oswego, Watertown and Lowville until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday. Snow accumulations of between two and five inches should be expected along with wind gusts of up to 45 miles per hour.
According to the NWS, “the greatest accumulations will be across the higher terrain of the Tug Hill Plateau and western foothills of the Adirondacks,” whilst the agency warns snow could cover roads and cause limited visibility.
Hamilton and northern Herkimer counties also have NWS alerts in place until 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, with snow accumulations of up to two inches expected.
In Maine, the alert applies across northern parts of Aroostook, Somerset and Piscataquis counties until 9 p.m. ET on Saturday evening, with snow accumulations of between two and five inches, the latter lost likely in the Saint John Valley.
Winter weather advisory alerts are in place across a swath of Michigan including Antrim, Kalkaska, Lake, Mason, Oceana, Maintee, Leelanau and Grand Traverse counties. These areas are expected to receive between one and three inches of snow with the warnings ending on Saturday.
What People Are Saying
The NWS said: “A Winter Weather Advisory for snow means periods of snow will cause primarily travel difficulties. Expect snow covered roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.”
On X, the NWS’s office in Buffalo, New York, commented: “Temperatures will take a tumble today, supporting rain showers this morning to change over to snow. Snow showers possible southeast of both Lakes Erie & Ontario today & tonight. Also, gusty winds of 30-40 mph will support wind chills to range in the low single digits today.”
Its office in Marquette, Michigan, said: “Lake effect snow showers will continue to diminish in intensity and coverage today. 1-3 inches of snow is expected in NW snow belts east of Marquette today. High will be from 11 to 21.”
What Happens Next
If the NWS forecasts are correct, some higher areas could experience significant travel disruption over the weekend. Residents are urged to keep an eye out for NWS updates and to follow local weather forecasts.
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