Winter Storm Warnings For Five States As Heavy Snow To Hit on Election Day

1 month ago 3

Winter storm warnings are in place as snow is due to impact at least five states on Election Day.

The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that heavy snowfalls of up to 24 inches are due across Montana, New Mexico, Washington, Idaho and Colorado.

The NWS warns that winter driving conditions will develop in these areas, urging inhabitants to avoid traveling in impacted areas if possible.

Past voting trends show snow, rain and even cold temperatures correlate with low voter turnout.

Newsweek emailed the NWS for comment on Monday morning.

Montana snow
Mist rises above ice floes on the Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley, Montana, on December 22, 2022. Winter storm warnings are in place across states including Montana on Election Day 2024. William Campbell/Getty Images

The Election Day winter storm warnings are in place across Montana and Washington, with the Colorado, New Mexico and Idaho weather warnings due to end today.

In Montana, snow is expected in Little Belt and the Highwood mountains, with total snow accumulations of 24 inches expected in northerly upslope favored areas, with wind gusts possibly getting up to 55 mph.

Tire chains may be necessary to travel through mountain passes in this area, the NWS warns.

Elsewhere across Montana, snow is also expected across the West Glacier region, Clearwater Mountains, Cascade County, Judith Basin County and Judith Gap-Fergus County.

In the latter four counties, it is warned that the Tuesday morning and evening commutes might be heavily impacted and strong winds could bring down tree branches.

The NSW forecast office for Great Falls, Montana, has put a blizzard warning in place until 8 a.m. on Tuesday for the Continental Divide along the Rocky Mountains, warning that whiteout conditions and wind gusts of up to 80 mph are expected.

In Washington state, heavy snow warnings are in place across areas including Western Chelan County, Central Panhandle Mountains and the West Slopes North Cascades.

Across the West Slopes North Cascades area and the Passes-West Slopes North Central Cascades, the NWS warns that visibilities may drop to below a quarter of a mile due to falling snow and that travel could be near impossible due to an expected 12 to 18 inches of snow.

Heavy snow is already falling across Northeastern Colorado, Central Idaho and Northern and Central New Mexico.

In the Island Park and West Yellowstone regions of Idaho, NSW Pocatello reported that between four and eight inches of snow fell on Sunday night. The NSW warns that gusty winds in the Pocatello region might lead to drifting snow, especially on Monday night when winds are expected to be highest.

In Colorado, between 12 and 18 inches of snow are expected to fall on Monday, November 4 on the Sangre de Cristo and Wet Mountains.

There are also winter weather advisories—issued for less serious conditions than winter storms—in place in Alaska, Wyoming and Oregon on Election Day.

A winter weather advisory means that there is at least an 80 percent chance of minor impacts due to the wintry conditions during the weather advisory period.

In affected areas the NSW advises that if travel is necessary, travelers should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicle in case of emergency.

The latest road conditions for each state can be accessed by calling 511.

Read Entire Article