WPBN: As a big snowfall spreads across the nation, 19 states have issued winter weather warnings, bringing severe winter weather to much of the United States.
Up to three feet of snow might fall in some areas of the United States, according to forecasters.
The National Weather Service (NWS), which has issued advisories to 14 states and winter storm warnings to the western states of Idaho, Wyoming, California, Washington, and Nevada, cautioned that travel will be difficult to impossible in many regions.
Warnings about Winter Storms
Heavy snowfall is expected at altitudes above 3,500 feet in Washington’s West Slopes, North Cascades, and Passes, with additional snow accumulations of 12 to 24 inches and wind gusts of up to 40 mph. The warning is valid until Sunday at 10 p.m.
Up to 23 inches of snow could fall in areas of California over 3,000 feet, including the area surrounding Scott Mountain Pass. Up to 50 mph gusts are expected in parts of central California through 4 p.m. on Saturday.
6 to 24 inches of snow, with local totals greater over the peaks, are predicted for the Coastal Range/Shasta County mountains over 3,500 feet. With winds reaching up to 55 mph, 1 to 3 feet of snow is predicted locally higher over the summits in areas of the Southern Cascades/Sierra above 5,000 feet. The warning is valid until Saturday at 10 p.m.
Additional snow accumulations of 10 to 20 inches are anticipated in parts of Siskiyou County, Oregon, with gusts of up to 65 mph. Snow that is blowing widely could make it much harder to see. The warning is valid until Saturday at 4 p.m. PST.
Lassen-Eastern Plumas-Eastern Sierra Counties and other parts of Nevada can anticipate snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches below 5,500 feet west of Highway 395 and 12 to 20 inches above 5,500 feet, with localized accumulations of up to 3 feet on the highest peaks. Ridge wind gusts of up to 75 mph are predicted, with wind gusts as high as 45 mph. Until Saturday at 10 p.m. PST, a warning is in effect.
Ridge winds of up to 120 mph are predicted, along with up to 30 inches of snow in the Greater Lake Tahoe area. Small boats, kayaks, and paddle boards should stay out of lake waters until conditions improve, according to NWS, as they are vulnerable to capsizing.
A warning is in effect throughout Idaho through Sunday at 5 a.m. MST. Below 7,000 feet, total snow accumulations of 5 to 10 inches are anticipated, with locally greater amounts in the Ketchum area approaching 12 inches. Over 7,000 feet, total snow accumulations of 10 to 14 inches are anticipated. From Saturday evening through Sunday, gusts of up to 35 mph are possible.
Higher elevations of the Tetons in Wyoming could receive up to 30 inches of snow, with gusts of up to 50 mph in certain areas. The alert remains in effect until Sunday at 5 p.m. MST.
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Advisories for Winter Weather
With less than an inch of snow falling overall, ice forming a light crust, and freezing rain predicted, parts of northwest and western Pennsylvania as well as West Virginia should prepare for slick roads. For portions of Pennsylvania, the advisories are in effect until 7 p.m. EST on Sunday and 1 a.m. EST on Monday.
NWS recommended traveling cautiously and at a slower pace. Travel may be impacted by moderate to heavy snow and slick roads in several areas of Oregon.
Roads, bridges, and walkways may become extremely slick due to ice accumulation and/or snow in areas of Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Missouri, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are under advisories through 7 a.m. CST Saturday, 9 a.m. Nebraska, 3 p.m. Sunday, midnight CST Saturday, and 10 a.m. PST Saturday, respectively.
On Saturday, the advisories for South Dakota, North Dakota, and Illinois are in effect until 10 a.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m. CST, respectively. An advisory is in effect until 5 p.m. MST on Sunday, which may make travel in Montana extremely challenging over the Targhee and Raynolds Passes.
Later Saturday, a wintry mix with light snow and winds as high as 35 mph could cause ice accumulations in northern Iowa that range from one to two tenths of an inch.
Up to 18 inches of snow are expected in Utah, which includes the Bear River Range and the mountains in the Ogden area, and 8 inches in some areas of Montana. Until Sunday at 3 p.m., an advisory is in effect.
Winds of up to 35 mph and blowing snow will reduce visibility to half a mile in parts of Alaska, such as the White Mountains, Fox Hills, and along the Steese Highway. On Saturday and Sunday, the advisories are in effect until 6 a.m., 8 a.m., and 3 p.m., respectively.
