Fifteen states are expecting accumulating snowfall this week as two winter storms batter the U.S.
A bomb cyclone has spurred an atmospheric river of heavy snow and rain to soak the Pacific Northwest, whereas a storm system brewing in the Plains states is bringing snow across the Great Lakes region and the East and Northeast later this week.
A map created by Newsweek shows which states are expecting snow this week as the storms unleash wintry conditions across the nation.
East and Northeast
A significant winter storm is bringing the first measurable snowfall to several states in the region later this week, including Pennsylvania, West Virginia, southeastern Kentucky, New York, southwestern Virginia and eastern Tennessee. Many of the winter weather advisories issued across this region will go into effect on Thursday.
"A potent winter system will advance across the area Thursday afternoon through Saturday. Initial accumulations are likely Thursday, but the time with the highest snowfall rates will likely be late Thursday night and early Friday morning," the winter weather advisory issued by the Pittsburgh forecast office said.
As much as 20 inches of snow is expected in parts of West Virginia, with the other states expecting several inches.
"I would encourage anybody to keep up today with the watches and potential warnings we might put out," National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Anna Stuck previously told Newsweek. "With it being the first, widespread snow event for that area, people might not be prepared."
Northern U.S. and Great Lakes region
Several winter weather-related alerts also have been issued for Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and Wisconsin.
The snow in this region is attributed to both the Pacific Northwest system, which will bring snow to the western areas starting Friday night, and the system currently brewing over the Plains states that will bring widespread snow to the Northeast and East later this week.
NWS lead meteorologist Richard Maliawco told Newsweek the region is mostly affected by the system over the Plains, which will trek eastward.
More precipitation will hit the area Friday and Saturday as the system over the Pacific Northwest moves east.
"We are sandwiched between both systems," he said, adding that it is the first widespread snow of the season.
South Dakota is expecting the most snow, with up to 7 inches. Strong winds further north will contribute to dangerous conditions, with a blizzard warning being issued for North Dakota.
"Visibilities may drop below a quarter mile due to falling and blowing snow. Plan on slippery road conditions," the warning said. "Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches."
Pacific Northwest
Snow continues to fall in the Northwest, as a bomb cyclone and atmospheric river bring a wintry deluge to the area.
A bomb cyclone occurs when a storm's pressure drops quickly, which intensifies the storm and ramps up wind gusts. The winter storm has prompted numerous weather alerts for the region, including a winter storm warning, winter weather advisory and blizzard warning.
States with winter weather alerts include Oregon, Washington and California.
NWS meteorologist Anna Lindeman previously told Newsweek that at up to 12 inches, snow amounts weren't considered very high for the Washington mountains, but the strong winds would contribute to whiteout conditions that could make driving impossible, particularly through mountain passes in the Cascade Mountains.
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