Warnings for heavy snow—up to 30 inches—and strong winds are continuing to impact 11 states, from Wednesday or Thursday, as the National Weather Service (NWS) advises drivers in affected areas to “consider delaying all travel” until conditions improve.
States Affected By Heavy Snow
Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued in Oregon, Montana, California, Colorado, Utah, Washington, South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wyoming and Maine, from Wednesday, in most cases, through Thursday, and sometimes even into Friday.
Oregon
The Cascades of Lane, Marion, and Linn counties have been told to expect up to 18 inches of snow—and up to 24 inches of snow above 5,500 feet—with winds reaching 40 mph through Wednesday, until Thursday afternoon. The heaviest snowfall is forecast to hit through Wednesday afternoon into the evening, and on Thursday morning, especially along the Santiam and Willamette Passes.
Up to 14 inches of snow and 40 mph winds are likely to blast the east slopes of the Oregon Cascades through Wednesday and Thursday, before dying out on Thursday afternoon. Low visibility caused by falling and blowing snow could create “difficult driving conditions,” the NWS warns.
The southern Oregon Cascades—north of Howard Prairie Lake—and the foothills above 3,000 feet in eastern Douglas county, which includes the passes along Highways 140, 62, 138, 230, and 58, should prepare for between 12 and 24 inches of snow—between 24 and 30 inches of snow is likely in the Crater Lake National Park—and 50 mph winds through Wednesday and Thursday. The heaviest snowfall is forecast for Wednesday afternoon.
The northern Oregon Cascades could see up to 11 inches of snow above 3,000 feet and up to 20 inches of snow above 5,500 feet, along with winds reaching 40 mph, until Thursday afternoon.
The northern Klamath Basin, the northern and eastern parts of Klamath county, and the far western parts of Lake county could see up to 6 inches of snow and 45 mph wind gusts—especially over the higher elevations—until mid-Thursday morning.
Montana
Little Belt, the Highwood Mountains, Gallatin, alongside the Madison and Centennial Mountains, are forecast to get between 7 and 11 inches of snow—with higher amounts expected above the mountain pass level—from Thursday, lasting until around noon on Friday. The NWS has warned that travel could be “very difficult” and tire chains might be needed, especially in backcountry areas.
The eastern parts of Glacier Park, the Elkhorn, Big Belt, Bridger, Castle, and Boulder Mountains, the upper parts of the Blackfoot and MacDonald Passes, the southern Rocky Mountain Front, and northwest Beaverhead county could see up to 8 inches of snow and 35 mph winds from Thursday morning until Friday.
From Thursday afternoon, the Snowy and Judith Mountains, areas below 5,000 feet in Cascade county, areas below 4,500 feet in Fergus county, and Judith Basin county, including Judith Gap, could get up to 4 inches of snow—with 6 inches likely in higher areas—by around noon on Friday.
California
The upper parts of the San Joaquin River and Yosemite National Park, outside of the valley, could get up to 6 inches of snow and winds gusting around 55 mph through Wednesday, before petering out by Thursday morning.
Areas above 6,000 feet across the western slopes of the northern Sierra Nevada—including Donner Pass—could see between 6 and 12 inches of snow, and northern Trinity county could get up to 6 inches of snow by Thursday morning.
Up to 14 inches of snow and winds reaching 70 mph are expected in areas above 8,000 feet in Mono County until Wednesday morning.
Elevations above 5,000 feet across the western parts of Siskiyou county could see up to 14 inches of snow and 40 mph winds, and the Warner Mountains could get up to 7 inches of snow and 50 mph winds until Thursday morning.
Colorado
The northwest and southwest San Juan Mountains, Elkhead, Park Mountains, and the Flat Tops could see up to 12 inches of snow—with higher amounts possible over higher elevations—and 45 mph winds through Wednesday.
The Gore, Elk, West Elk, and Sawatch Mountains, alongside the central Mountain Valleys and the Grand and Battlement Mesas, are likely to see similar conditions—up to 12 inches of snow and winds reaching 40 mph—until Wednesday night.
Rabbit Ears Pass, parts of the Rocky Mountain National Park, the Medicine Bow and Mosquito Ranges, the Summit county mountains, and the Indian Peaks could see up to 10 inches of snow—with up to a foot expected over Rabbit Ears Pass—with 40 mph winds through Wednesday.
Utah
Until around noon on Wednesday, areas above 7,500 feet in the northern mountains of Utah—including the Wasatch Mountains, south of the I-80, and western Uinta Mountains—could see up to 8 inches of snow, with up to 14 inches in the upper Cottonwoods. The Wasatch Plateau and Book Cliffs—along with areas above 8,500 feet in the central and southern mountains—could see up to 14 inches of snow, with more than 18 inches likely in the Tushar Mountains and Brian Head area.
Washington
Areas above 3,000 feet in the southern Washington Cascades are expected to get between 5 and 11 inches of snow, and areas above 5,500 feet between 12 and 20 inches of snow, alongside winds reaching 40 mph, through Wednesday and Thursday.
The upper slopes of the eastern Washington Cascades Crest could get up to 7 inches of snow, the Loup Loup, Washington, and Sherman Passes, Boulder Creek and Chesaw Road, and parts of Highway 20—including the Wauconda Summit—could get up to 8 inches of snow, and Holden Village and Stevens Pass could get up to 9 inches of snow through Wednesday, until Thursday morning.
The Cascades of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King (both northern and southern portions), Pierce, and Lewis counties could get between 4 and 8 inches by Thursday morning.
South Dakota
Up to 5 inches of snow and 35 mph winds are expected to hit parts of central and north central South Dakota until around noon on Wednesday. The NWS warns that drifting snow is expected, and some areas may experience blowing snow, which could reduce visibility.
Northern and southern Perkins and Ziebach counties could get up to 5 inches of snow and 40 mph winds, lasting until around noon on Thursday
Minnesota
Parts of west central Minnesota could get between 3 and 5 inches of snow through Wednesday and Thursday, potentially making travel “very difficult.”
Lake Of The Woods, north and south Beltrami, and north Clearwater counties are likely to get up to 5 inches of snow by Friday.
North Dakota
Parts of south central, southeast, and southwest North Dakota—including the James River Valley—are forecast to get up to 5 inches of snow and 35 mph winds until Thursday.
Wyoming
Up to 12 inches of snow and winds reaching 45 mph are expected to blast the Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges through Wednesday.
Maine
Northeast and northwest Aroostook counties could see up to 7 inches of snow and sleet by mid-Wednesday morning.
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