Winter storm warnings and advisories have been issued from the Northeast to the Appalachians, and as far west as California and Alaska. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the combination of heavy snow, high winds and reduced visibility is likely to make travel hazardous and, in some cases, impossible.
The system spans a vast geographical area, affecting states including Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. Warnings are also in place for parts of California and Alaska. The NWS has cautioned that impacts could extend into Monday night and, in some regions, beyond.
Heavy Snowfall and High Winds Forecast Across Eastern States
In parts of Massachusetts, up to 20 inches of snow are forecast by Tuesday, with winds reaching 55 mph, likely to cause blowing snow and hazardous conditions. The Berkshires could see similar totals by Monday night. Connecticut is also bracing for between 12 and 20 inches across several counties, alongside winds of up to 45 mph, according to the NWS.
New York State faces significant accumulations, with up to 20 inches possible in Ulster, Greene, Columbia and Dutchess Counties from Sunday afternoon through Monday. Neighbouring Pennsylvania could receive up to 20 inches in areas including Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike and southern Wayne Counties, with winds of around 40 mph lasting into Monday night.
Further south, higher elevations in North Carolina’s Ashe and Watauga Counties could see up to 12 inches of snow and winds of 50 mph. In Virginia, Grayson and Smyth Counties, particularly around Mount Rogers, may also receive up to 12 inches, with gusts reaching 50 mph. Western parts of Maryland are forecast to receive up to 12 inches, while New Castle County in Delaware could see between 13 and 17 inches by Monday night.
According to the NWS, these conditions are likely to reduce visibility to less than a quarter of a mile at times, particularly in mountainous areas, and create dangerous driving conditions across several states.
Warnings of Impassable Roads and Power Outages
In North Carolina’s Mitchell and Avery Counties, a Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until midnight on Monday night. The NWS office in Greenville-Spartanburg stated that additional snow accumulations of up to 10 inches are possible above 3,500 feet in Mitchell County, with winds gusting as high as 55 mph. Below 3,500 feet, up to 7 inches of snow are expected.
According to the same advisory, heavy snow may make many roads impassable and could produce widespread power outages due to the weight of snow on tree limbs and power lines. Strong winds are also expected to cause extensive damage to trees and power lines, while blowing snow may lead to very low visibility on Sunday night and Monday.
In Alaska, up to 20 inches of snow are forecast for parts of the northern Denali borough and the Fairbanks North Star area by Wednesday. California’s northern Trinity County could receive up to 10 inches of snow, with winds reaching 55 mph. The NWS has warned that travel through mountain passes may be very difficult, and road closures are possible. Residents across affected regions have been urged to monitor forecasts closely and to use caution when travelling, as the storm moves steadily across the country.
