Winter Storm Warning Issued for Five States as 20 Inches of Snow Forecast

Numerous U.S. states are currently subject to winter storm warnings issued by the National Weather Service (NWS).

As much as 20 inches of snow is expected to fall in Alaska, while Idaho, Montana, Washington and Wyoming are all expected to be hit by considerable snowfall throughout Tuesday and overnight. The poor conditions are likely to cause difficult driving conditions and in some cases are expected to cause power outages.

Alaska

Two warnings are in place for Alaska: one for higher elevations of the Seward Highway, including Turnagain Pass and Summit Lake, and another for the Klondike Highway.

“Warmer air may mix in and transition precipitation to a mix of rain and snow or rain by Tuesday afternoon,” which could create hazards along Seward Highway, the NWS reports. “Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 12 to 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph. Snowfall rates of one to three inches per hour in Turnagain pass between 6 a.m. and noon.”

“Snow is expected to start out lighter and fluffier before becoming more wet and heavy Tuesday night into Wednesday,” the NWS said in its warning for Klondike Highway.

The cities of Skegway and White Pass are also under an active storm warning. “Warm air aloft and southwesterly flow is expected to move over colder air at the surface,” the NWS has reported. “This overrunning is expected to bring accumulating snow to the northern panhandle, specifically the Klondike highway. Warmer air close to the surface is expected to move in and allow for a switch to a mix of rain and snow.”

Idaho

Those around Lookout Pass and Dobson Pass can expect snow today.

“Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations up to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph on ridgetops and exposed terrain,” the NWS has reported, warning that winter driving conditions will continue through early Tuesday morning.

Montana

A winter storm warning is in place for the Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains from 2 p.m. local time to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, with seven to 14 inches of snow expected.

Between eight and 16 inches of snow is expected in Bighorn Mountains West, especially areas of northern Bighorn County until 11 a.m. on Wednesday. The conditions could make road travel “difficult to impossible, especially along U.S. Highway 14A.”

Evaro, just a few miles north of Missoula, is 100 percent likely to get six to 10 inches of snow at higher elevations according to the NWS, which warns there will be “dangerous or impossible traveling conditions” and “considerable disruptions to normal activities.”

Washington

Stevens Pass and Holden Village are both subject to a winter warning until 10 a.m. PST this morning, with up to four inches of snow expected to fall in the area. The NWS said drivers should be mindful of winter driving conditions on Highway 2 near Stevens Pass.

Around West Slopes North Central, including the city of Darrington, road visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Drivers are warned to plan for slippery road conditions, particularly on the Tuesday morning commute.

There is also a risk that “strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages.”

Wyoming

The same warning for Montana applies to the Northeast Bighorn Mountains.

For the latest updates on winter storm warnings in your state, see the NWS warnings page.