Winter weather alerts have been issued for portions of 17 states due to the arrival of two distinct storm systems. These systems are expected to bring significant snowfall to New England and northern states throughout the weekend.
Winter storm warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) for several states across the United States. These states include Alaska, California, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. Additionally, advisories are in place for Connecticut, the Dakotas, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin.
According to the latest forecast by the NWS, a weather front is expected to bring snow showers to the Midwest and Great Lakes on Friday. This front will then move into the Ohio Valley, resulting in a significant amount of heavy snowfall in areas located downwind of Lake Ontario and extending into New England.
New England has already experienced late-winter snowfall as a result of another storm this week. The region is expected to receive up to a foot of snow by Sunday morning.
Maine is bracing for another round of winter weather, with forecasts predicting up to 18 inches of snowfall. Alongside this heavy snow, strong winds reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour are expected to create areas of blowing snow, significantly reducing visibility. Additionally, residents should be cautious of icy conditions as a light glaze of ice is anticipated, making surfaces slippery and treacherous.
New Hampshire is expected to receive up to 18 inches of snow, accompanied by sleet, ice, and winds reaching speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.
Up to 17 inches of snow is expected to fall in Vermont and New York, potentially leading to power outages due to the weight of the snow on tree limbs. Additionally, Vermont is also expected to experience a tenth of an inch of ice accumulation.
Snowfall of up to 2 inches is predicted in Massachusetts and Connecticut, accompanied by ice accumulations of up to a 10th of an inch.
In the Great Lakes region, Michigan is expected to receive up to 7 inches of snow, while Wisconsin may see up to 6 inches of snowfall. The northern border counties of Illinois and northeastern Iowa are also forecasted to receive 5 to 6 inches of snow.
In central Minnesota, forecasters are predicting up to 7 inches of snow. Winter weather will also affect southeastern North Dakota and northeastern South Dakota, with expected snowfall of up to 6 inches and 1 inch, respectively.
The West is expected to experience unsettled weather this weekend, with heavy rainfall predicted for coastal regions and up to 4 feet of snow in mountain areas.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), this system is expected to lose strength as it moves inland. It will bring snow showers to the Rockies on Saturday. However, by Sunday, the system is anticipated to intensify again over the Front Range, transforming into a significant winter storm.
In the past month, a strong winter storm originating from the Pacific Ocean blanketed the Sierra Nevada range with over 12 feet of snow. Additionally, it caused heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions in higher-elevation areas of nearby states.
Earlier in the same week, a winter storm arrived on land before making its way into the Intermountain West. This powerful storm brought heavy snowfall to Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado.
In the Sierra Nevada range of California, elevations above 7,000 feet are predicted to receive up to 3 feet of snow, while areas above 6,000 feet may see up to 2 feet. Additionally, strong winds reaching gusts of up to 45 miles an hour are expected.
Snowfall in the Rocky Mountains of northwestern Montana is expected to reach up to 1 foot, while other areas in the region will see lower amounts of snow accumulation.
The Lake Tahoe area in Nevada is bracing itself for a significant snowfall of up to 14 inches above 7,000 feet. Along with the snow, strong winds reaching speeds of 80 miles an hour are expected to blow over the ridge lines. Additionally, the Sierra region of the state is predicted to receive up to 1 foot of snow.
