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A formidable winter storm is currently advancing across the United States, threatening to blanket regions with up to two feet of snow. This weather system is also delivering blizzard warnings and creating perilous travel conditions for millions in the Western states.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has put out winter storm warnings for states including California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, and Alaska. Authorities are advising residents to avoid travel as visibility could be severely impacted by whiteout conditions.
Blizzard warnings are in effect for Montana, South Dakota, and Minnesota, where wind speeds may reach 60 mph. This, combined with heavy snowfall, is expected to render travel nearly impossible, limiting road use to emergency vehicles only.
In the Rockies and Southwest, significant snowfall is anticipated, with some areas expected to see over a foot of snow accumulation through Friday.
Eastern California is predicted to experience the storm’s most severe impact, with the Sierra Nevada Mountains likely receiving upwards of five feet of snow.
Parts of Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah are predicted to see over ten inches of snow, but totals could reach two to three feet at higher elevations throughout those states.
AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said: ‘When this pattern finally wraps up late next week, parts of the Sierra Nevada will end up with 12-16 feet of snow.’
NWS officials have advised that anyone who must travel during this major storm should keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in their car in case of an emergency, an accident, or if their vehicle gets stranded in whiteout conditions.
The National Weather Service is expecting whiteout conditions in at least 12 states, and has urged Americans to avoid traveling on Wednesday (Stock Image)
Several feet of snow is projected to strike the western US, with the biggest totals expected to fall in Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Rockies, and the Northern Plains this week
Winter weather advisories have also been issued in Idaho, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Washington state.
Overall, up to 100 million Americans could be affected by this widespread winter event, with conditions ranging from ice and rain in the Midwest to extremely powerful winds combined with snow that could knock down trees and power lines in the Northern Plains.
Meteorologists expect most of the snow to fall throughout the day on Wednesday, but conditions are expected to remain dangerous throughout the week.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Alyssa Glenny added: ‘Along with the obvious problems from heavy rates of snow will be the potential for avalanches through the passes and in the high country.’
At least nine skiers went missing after an avalanche trapped a large group near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday as this week’s winter storm continued to rage out west.
On Wednesday, avalanche warnings were issued in California, Utah, and Colorado due to rapidly accumulating snow, weak snowpack layers, and near hurricane-force winds causing drifting.
An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a hill or mountainside caused by an unstable mass of snow breaking away from the slope. Snow, rock, ice, soil, and other materials slide down during an avalanche and can reach speeds of up to 100mph.
In 90 percent of avalanche incidents, the snow slides are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim’s party, according to the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings (orange), winter storm warnings (pink), and winter weather advisories (purple) in 17 states on Wednesday
Outside of California, which is predicted to see the worst of the snowfall, parts of Nevada could see more than three feet of snow at higher elevations near the Sierra Nevada.
Northern Arizona is projected to get up to 10 inches of snow, but it will also be blown around by wind gusts of up to 65 mph.Â
An additional three to nine inches may fall on Thursday and Friday.
Colorado is projected to get between four inches and one foot. Whiteout conditions are likely, as winds could reach 70 mph, just under the strength of a Category 1 hurricane.
North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan may see between three and 15 inches of snow through Thursday afternoon, with severe wind gusts between 35 and 55 mph making travel on local roads dangerous.
Road conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly and the National Weather Service has urged drivers to keep flashlights, food, and water in cars in case of emergency (Stock Image)
NWS has advised anyone in the path of the blizzard to stay indoors and only travel if absolutely necessary.
If you have to travel outside, they’ve urged Americans to dress in layers, cover up all skin, and watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, such as shivering, confusion, or numb skin.
For drivers, they recommend driving as slowly as possible while it’s snowing and letting someone else know your route before going out on the road.
Since blizzard conditions can trap motorists who can’t see what’s ahead of them, it’s important to stay in the vehicle if stranded and run the engine periodically for heat while conserving fuel.