A powerful polar vortex is sweeping across the United States, bringing dangerous blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall to multiple regions.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings and advisories as the deep freeze punishes dozens of states this week.
The Arctic blast's reach is unprecedented, affecting areas from Alaska through the Midwest and extending deep into the Southeast. Many Southern states that rarely face winter storms are now under weather warnings as the vortex delivers a pummeling mixture of snow, freezing rain and record-low temperatures.
State-by-State Snow Forecasts
Alaska
The Dalton Highway Summits expect 2-4 inches with 45 mph wind gusts. The Copper River Basin anticipates 6-12 inches plus ice accumulation. Anchorage and Matanuska Valley face freezing rain with significant ice buildup.
Colorado
El Paso and Pueblo counties expect 3-6 inches through Tuesday evening. The Denver metro area anticipates 3-5 inches, with higher amounts in the Palmer Divide region. Fort Collins and Loveland areas expect 2-4 inches.
Delaware
New Castle County anticipated 4-8 inches of heavy snow, which intensified Monday morning, with snowfall rates exceeding 1 inch per hour.
Georgia
The Atlanta metropolitan area will see snow north of the city and ice accumulation downtown, with a mix of ice and rain to the south. The rare winter precipitation for the state threatens major travel disruptions along the I-85 corridor through Tuesday. More snow is expected north of the city, especially over the southern Appalachians.
Illinois
Central and southeast regions expect 5-12 inches ending Tuesday morning, with the heaviest accumulation south of the Beardstown-to-Paris line. Gusty winds of up to 30 mph may cause blowing and drifting snow, especially on east-west roads.
Indiana
Central and southern regions anticipate 6-10 inches, while northern areas expect 3-7 inches. Wind gusts up to 35 mph will create blowing snow conditions.
North-central areas, including Lafayette and Kokomo, will see 3–7 inches of snow. Winds of up to 35 mph may cause blowing snow, reduced visibility and power outages from downed lines.
Iowa
Snowfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected across the region. Winds gusting up to 35 mph could lead to blowing and drifting snow, creating hazardous travel conditions. Little to no snow is anticipated north of I-80. Roads, bridges, and overpasses will become slick, and visibility may be reduced.
Kentucky
A warning is in effect across the Bluegrass State until 7 a.m. EST Tuesday. Affected regions include east-central, northeast, south-central and southeast regions of the state. Forecasts predicted heavy mixed precipitation with snow accumulations of 3 to 10 inches and ice accumulations up to 0.75 inches.
Maryland
Expected snowfall totals range from 7 to 11 inches, with isolated amounts up to 14 inches possible in heavy bands. Ice accumulations will be minimal but could result in slippery conditions. The warning also applies to areas in Washington and Allegany counties with 6-9 inches of snow forecast.
Missouri
Heavy rain, sleet and 2-14 inches of snow are forecast, as well as ice accumulations up to 0.5 inches. Wind gusts may reach 45 mph, leading to blowing snow and reduced visibility. Travel conditions could be extremely hazardous, with potential road ice and flash freezing.
Montana
Beartooth Foothills region expects up to 2 inches of additional snow through Tuesday morning.
Nebraska
Southeast regions anticipate 3-11 inches with wind gusts up to 35 mph through Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Nevada
Northern regions expect up to 2 inches through early Tuesday.
New Jersey
A winter storm warning is in effect for Salem, Cumberland, Cape May and Atlantic counties until 1 a.m. Tuesday.
New Mexico
Southwest and central regions expect 1-3 inches, with 3-5 inches possible in mountain areas by Wednesday.
North Carolina
Mountain regions above 3,500 feet expect 1-4 inches with wind gusts to 50 mph through Tuesday morning.
Ohio
Heavy mixed precipitation is expected, with snow and sleet accumulations of 5 to 10 inches and ice up to a 10th of an inch.
Oklahoma
Cimarron County and surrounding areas expect up to 1 inch through Wednesday morning.
Pennsylvania
Heavy snow is expected, with accumulations ranging from 4-8 inches in Bedford, Fulton, Somerset, Adams and Franklin counties, and 3-5 inches in parts of Washington and Westmoreland counties. In higher elevations, totals may reach 8-14 inches with a chance of ice accumulations.
South Carolina
Northern regions face winter precipitation risks through Tuesday.
Tennessee
Eastern regions anticipate 1-3 inches, with up to 5 inches possible in the highest peaks through early Tuesday.
Texas
Northern regions can expect up to 1 inch through Wednesday morning.
The impending storm could deliver more than a year's worth of snow to Dallas, where the historical average annual snowfall, which includes sleet, is 1.6 inches, according to AccuWeather.
Vermont
Northern regions are forecast to get 3-8 inches with 35 mph wind gusts through Wednesday evening.
Virginia
Most regions can expect up to 1 inch of additional snow with ice accumulation and black ice development overnight.
Washington, D.C.
The nation's capital is under a warning until 1 a.m. Tuesday. Heavy snow pounded the district, with totals of 5-9 inches and isolated areas receiving up to 12 inches.
West Virginia
Most areas expect 4-10 inches with up to a half inch of ice accumulation through Tuesday morning.
Wyoming
South Laramie Range forecasts 2-4 inches, with areas near the I-80 summit potentially reaching 6 inches.
Safety and Travel
The NWS urges residents to limit travel during severe weather conditions.
Those who must travel should carry emergency supplies and prepare for sudden visibility changes and hazardous outings, including blizzard conditions and icy roads in many areas.
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