A powerful winter storm system is sweeping across parts of the United States, prompting the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue winter storm warnings for Alaska, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana.
Forecasters anticipate significant snowfall, icy conditions, and high winds, potentially causing hazardous travel and impacting communities in these states. Local authorities have warned of likely delays in travel and encouraged residents to exercise extreme caution on the roads.
Newsweek contacted NOAA outside of working hours via email on Wednesday for comment.
The storm system is already affecting Alaska, where temperatures have plummeted, and heavy snowfall is expected in both interior and coastal regions. Blowing snow and strong winds are predicted with total snow accumulations of up to one inch and East winds gusting as high as 60 mph. The warning is in place for the Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast until midnight AKST Wednesday.
On the Western Arctic Coast of Alaska, including Point Lay, blowing snow and strong winds are expected. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Visibility is predicted to be one quarter mile or less at times with East winds gusting as high as 50 mph. The warning is in place until 3 p.m. AKST Wednesday.
The NWS warns that "high winds along coastal regions could cause blowing snow and reduced visibility, making travel treacherous."
In the lower 48 states, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana are also in the storm's path, with heavy snow and blowing winds expected in the Plains.
Several parts of Colorado are affected by the weather warning. Following a warning for Elbert/Central and East Douglas counties above 6,000 feet, including the cities of Larkspur, Kiowa, Castle Rock, Fondis, and Elbert until Tuesday evening, the winter storm warning has been extended for Castle Rock until 11 p.m. MST Wednesday.
Heavy snow is expected with additional snow accumulations between 7 and 14 inches and winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
The NWS warning advises that "snow-covered roads will make travel hazardous, with the possibility of very difficult or impossible travel. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes."
Elsewhere in Colorado, a weather warning has been issued for areas including North and Northeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet, North Lincoln County-Washington County, including the cities of Last Chance, Otis, Matheson, Agate, Hugo, Cope, Limon, and Akron.
Heavy snow is expected with additional snow accumulations between 8 and 16 inches with locally higher totals possible. Winds will be gusting as high as 40 mph. The warning is in place until 5 a.m. MST Thursday, stating that travel could be "very difficult to impossible."
In Southern El Paso County, additional snow accumulations of up to 2 inches are expected with winds gusting as high as 50 mph. The weather warning is in place until 11 a.m. MST Wednesday. Motorists are advised to "plan on slick and hazardous road conditions."
The Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains can expect additional snow accumulations between 6 and 16 inches, with 20 inches possible and winds gusting as high as 35 mph. The Winter storm warning is in place until 11 p.m. MST Wednesday.
Northern El Paso can expect additional snow accumulations between 3 and 5 inches, with winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
Western and Central Fremont County below 8,500 feet can expect heavy snow with additional snow accumulations between 2 and 6 inches with total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches possible.
The winter storm warning for both is in place until 5 p.m. MST Wednesday.
NWS cautions that travel could be very difficult; "Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches."
Colorado's Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Wet Mountains, and Wet Mountain Valley will have heavy snow, with possible additional snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches and winds gusting as high as 40 mph. The storm warning is in effect until 11 p.m. MST Wednesday.
Byers, Colorado, will see heavy snow with additional snow accumulations between 7 and 14 inches and winds gusting as high as 35 mph. The storm warning is in place until 5 a.m. MST Thursday.
Cheyenne, Kit Carson, and Yuma Counties will experience heavy snow, with additional snow accumulations between 3 and 12 inches. NWS advises that roads, "especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult to impossible."
Winds may gust to 30-40 mph, especially Wednesday morning. "Blowing snow may be possible at times, be alert for sudden reductions in visibility," NWS warns. The weather warning is in effect until 5 a.m. MST Thursday.
In Montana, additional snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches are expected in Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains, with winds gusting as high as 35 mph, creating areas of blowing and drifting snow.
"Recreation in the high country will be impacted by heavy accumulating snow. Travel could be very difficult on US-14," NWS advised. The weather warning is in place until 11 a.m. MST Wednesday.
In Wyoming, heavy snow is expected with additional snow accumulations between 1 to 3 inches. Locally higher amounts are possible as well as winds gusting as high as 35 mph. on the west slopes of the Bighorn Mountains, especially areas of northern Bighorn County. The weather warning is in place until 11 a.m. MST Wednesday. The NWS warning notes that travel could be very difficult along Granite Pass and Powder River Pass.
Parts of New Mexico are also under a winter storm warning, with heavy winds expected. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Upper Rio Grande Valley, and Johnson and Bartlett Mesas Including Raton Pass have heavy snow expected, with three-day total snow accumulations between 12 and 24 inches except up to 35 plus inches at mountaintops and lesser amounts between 6 and 12 inches near Taos. Winds could be gusting as high as 35 mph. The warning is in place until 5 p.m. MST Friday.
Travel is discouraged with NWS advising many road closures are likely, stating: "Areas of blowing snow may limit visibility to near zero at times, creating dangerous travel conditions."
Heavy snow is expected in Eastern San Miguel County, Far Northeast Highlands, Harding County, Northeast Highlands, and Union County with total snow accumulations between 6 to 12 inches, although amounts across western portions of these areas may receive up to two feet. Winds are predicted to gust as high as 35 mph. The storm warning is in place from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 5 p.m. MST Friday.
In the Tusas Mountains, including Chama, heavy snow is expected, with total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches except up to 20 inches across the peaks. The warning is in place until 5 p.m. MST Friday.
The Jemez Mountains, Northwest Highlands, Southwest Mountains, and West Central Mountains will see total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches and up to 24 inches above 8,500 feet.
NWS advised that travel could be "very difficult" and has urged caution in mountainous regions "especially along I-40 between Grants and Gallup. Tire chains may be necessary if traveling through mountain passes."
Heavy snow is also expected in San Agustin Plains and Adjacent Lowlands, Espanola Valley, and West Central Highlands with total snow accumulations between 3 and 6 inches except up to one foot above 7,500 feet. Warnings are in place from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 11 a.m. MST Friday.
Sandia and Manzano Mountain areas also have a storm warning in place until Friday. Heavy snow is expected with three-day total snow accumulations between 6 and 12 inches and up to 24 inches above 8,500 feet. Affected areas include Edgewood, Glorieta Mesa Including Glorieta Pass, Santa Fe Metro Area, Estancia Valley, Central Highlands, South Central Highlands, South Central Mountains, Guadalupe County, and Eastern Lincoln County.
The warning is in place from 5 p.m. Wednesday to 11 a.m. MST Friday. NWS warned travel could be very difficult to impossible, "especially along parts of I-40 east of Albuquerque and I-25 through Santa Fe to Las Vegas. Some roads may be closed. Significant travel delays are possible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes."
Heavy snow is expected in the Middle Rio Grande Valley including the Albuquerque Metro Area, with total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 inches. Up to 6 inches is possible above 6,000 feet with winds gusting as high as 50 mph. The winter weather warning is in place from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 11 a.m. MST Friday.
NWS warned travel could be very difficult and issued the following advice: "Tire traction will be reduced. Extend the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Additional advice stated: "A strong east canyon wind with gusts up to 50 mph [Wednesday night] will create near white-out conditions below Tijeras Canyon. The greatest snow amounts in the Albuquerque Metro area will be along and east of Tramway and higher up on the west mesa."
NWS issued the following advice for all motorists: "Persons should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. Leave plenty of room between you and the motorist ahead of you and allow extra time to reach your destination.
"Avoid sudden braking or acceleration and be especially cautious on hills or when making turns. Make sure your car is winterized and in good working order If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511."
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