Heavy snow warning as 2 feet to hit: Travel could be “impossible”

Warnings for heavy snow, reaching up to 2 feet in some places, strong winds, and sub-freezing temperatures are forecast to blast nine states from Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), which has warned drivers that travel could be “very difficult to impossible.” 

States Affected by Heavy Snow, Strong Winds and Freeze Warnings  

The areas likely to be most affected by snow, wind, and sub-zero temperatures on Tuesday and—in some cases, through Wednesday—include parts of California, Alaska, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and New Jersey.   

California 

The Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge, the upper parts of the San Joaquin River, and the Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Parks are expected to get up to 5 inches of snow in places above 7,000 feet and up to 18 inches of snow across the highest elevations, coupled with 75 mph winds—especially across the Sierra crest—through Tuesday, until Wednesday afternoon. 

Winds reaching 50 mph and between 12 and 18 inches of snow are forecast to fall across the Sierra Nevada mountains of El Dorado, Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Sierra, and Placer counties above 5,000 feet, and in Tehama and Plumas counties above 3,000 feet, alongside the Lassen Volcanic National Park, with up to 2 feet expected across the highest peaks until Wednesday afternoon. The NWS has warned that the heaviest snowfall is likely to happen through Tuesday afternoon into the evening.    

Parts of northeastern Trinity could get between 4 and 6 inches of snow by mid-Tuesday morning, making roads slippery and affecting the Tuesday morning commute. Drivers have been advised to “slow down and use caution.”

The higher elevations of southern Siskiyou County, near the Trinity Alps and including Highway 3, south of Callahan, could get up to 10 inches of snow and winds reaching 45 mph until mid-Tuesday morning.

Parts of Mono County could get up to 12 inches of snow in areas above 7,000 feet—with up to 18 inches likely across the highest peaks. Up to 5 inches of snow is forecast for places along Highway 395. Winds reaching 60 mph are expected, particularly in more exposed areas, and they could even reach up to 90 mph along the top ridges at times. These conditions are likely to last through Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Alaska

Nunivak Island and the western Kuskokwim Delta coast, including Toksook Bay, could see up to 7 inches of snow and 40 mph winds from Tuesday afternoon into mid-Wednesday morning. These conditions are likely to produce blowing snow, which could reduce visibility to half a mile or less, the NWS warns. 

Through Tuesday, the central and eastern interior parts of Alaska could get up to 3 inches of snow in the valleys, and up to 6 inches across the highest elevations. Reduced visibility— caused by blowing snow—and icy roads could make driving conditions hazardous, especially during Tuesday morning and evening commutes. 

Pennsylvania 

Parts of central and western Pennsylvania could see subfreezing temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, while Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, McKean, northern Centre, northern Clinton, and Warren Counties should brace themselves for temperatures to plummet to the upper teens until Tuesday morning.

Ohio 

Temperatures in parts of southeast Ohio could drop to 28 degrees Fahrenheit, and parts of east central Ohio could see temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit, until Tuesday morning. 

West Virginia 

Parts of central, northeast, northern, southeast, southern, and western West Virginia could see temperatures falling to around 28 degrees Fahrenheit until Tuesday morning 

Maryland 

Temperatures could drop as low as 29 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of central, northern, and southern Maryland until mid-Tuesday morning

Virginia 

Central and northern Virginia could experience sub-freezing temperatures of around 29 degrees until Tuesday morning. 

North Carolina 

Granville and Person Counties are expected to see temperatures hover around 29 degrees Fahrenheit, and Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties could get temperatures in the early 30s until Tuesday morning. 

Kentucky

Temperatures could fall to as low as 28 degrees Fahrenheit across parts of east central, northeast, and southeast Kentucky until Tuesday morning.

New Jersey

Parts of central, northern, northwest, and southern New Jersey could get as low as 24 degrees Fahrenheit, and Sussex County could get as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, into Tuesday morning.