Warnings for heavy snow—up to 30 inches—and strong winds continue to affect 11 states, starting Wednesday or Thursday, with the National Weather Service (NWS) advising drivers in affected areas to “consider delaying all travel” until conditions improve.
Countries Affected by Heavy Snow
Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued for Oregon, Montana, California, Colorado, Utah, Washington, South Dakota, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wyoming and Maine, from Wednesday, in most cases, through Thursday, and sometimes into Friday.
Oregon
The Cascades of Lane, Marion, and Linn counties were told to expect up to 18 inches of snow—and up to 24 inches of snow above 5,500 feet—with winds up to 40 mph through Wednesday, into Thursday afternoon. The heaviest snow is expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon into the evening, and Thursday morning, especially near the Santiam and Willamette Passes.
Up to 14 inches of snow and 40 mph winds are possible on the eastern slopes of the Oregon Cascades through Wednesday and Thursday, before dying down Thursday afternoon. Low visibility caused by falling snow and gusty winds could cause “difficult driving conditions,” the NWS warns.
The Oregon Cascades in the south-north of Lake Howard Prairie-and the hills above 3,000 feet in the eastern part of Douglas, which includes roads near Highways 140, 62, 138, 230, and 58, should prepare between 12 and 24 inches of snow-between 24 and 50 of snow in Park Park and 50 in National Park. mph through Wednesday and Thursday. The heaviest snow is forecast for Wednesday afternoon.
The northern Oregon Cascades could see up to 11 inches of snow above 3,000 feet and 20 inches of snow above 5,500 feet, along with winds of up to 40 mph, through Thursday afternoon.
The northern Klamath Basin, northern and eastern parts of Klamath County, and far western parts of Lake County could see up to 6 inches of snow and 45 mph winds—mostly at higher elevations—through mid-Thursday morning.
Montana
The Little Belt, Highwood Mountains, Gallatin, near the Madison and Centennial Mountains, are forecast to receive between 7 and 11 inches of snow – with the highest amount expected above the mountain range – from Thursday, until about noon Friday. The NWS warned that travel could be “very difficult” and tire chains may be needed, especially in backcountry areas.
The eastern parts of Glacier Park, Elkhorn, Big Belt, Bridger, Castle, and Boulder Mountains, upper parts of Blackfoot and MacDonald Passes, southern Rocky Mountain Front, and northwestern Beaverhead County could see snow gusts of 35 mph from Thursday morning through Friday.
As of 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—and 6 inches possibly in higher elevations—around noon Friday.
California
The upper reaches of the San Joaquin River and Yosemite National Park, outside of the valley, could see snow and 55 mph winds through Wednesday, before clearing Thursday morning.
Areas above 6,000 feet across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada—including Donner Pass—could see between 6 and 12 inches of snow, and northern Trinity County could get up to 6 inches Thursday morning.
Up to 14 inches of snow and winds of up to 70 mph are expected in places above 8,000 feet in Mono County through Wednesday morning.
Areas above 5,000 feet across the western parts of Siskiyou County could see snow and 40 mph winds up to 14 mph, and the Warner Mountains could get up to 7 inches of snow and 50 mph winds through Thursday morning.
Colorado
The northwest and southwest San Juan Mountains, Elkhead, Park Mountains, and Flat Tops could see up to 12 inches of snow—the most possible at higher elevations—and winds in excess of 45 mph through Wednesday.
The Gore, Elk, West Elk, and Sawatch Mountains, along the Central Mountain Valleys and the Grand and Battlement Mesas, may see similar conditions—up to 12 inches of snow and winds of up to 40 mph—through Wednesday night.
Rabbit Ears Pass, parts of Rocky Mountain National Park, Medicine Bow and Mosquito Ranges, the mountains of Summit County, and Indian Peaks could see 10-inches of snow—and a foot is expected over Rabbit Ears Pass—with winds of 40 mph through Wednesday.
Utah
As of late Wednesday afternoon, areas above 7,500 feet in the northern Utah mountains—including the Wasatch Mountains, south of I-80, and the 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—as well as areas above 8,500 feet in the central and southern mountains—could see up to 14 inches of snow, and the Tushar Mountains and Brian Head could get more than 18 inches.
Washington
Areas above 3,000 feet in the southern Washington Cascades are expected to receive between 5 and 11 inches of snow, and areas above 5,500 feet between 12 and 20 inches of snow, along with winds up to 40 mph, through Wednesday and Thursday.
The eastern slopes of Washington’s Cascades Crest could get up to 7 inches of snow, Loup Loup, Washington, and Sherman Passes, Boulder Creek and Chesaw Road, and parts of Highway 20—including Wauconda Summit—could get up to 8 inches of snow, and Holden Village snow Wednesday through 9
The Cascades of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King (north and south), 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 through midday Wednesday. The NWS warns that drifting snow is expected, and some areas may experience blowing snow, which could reduce visibility.
Areas north and south of Perkins and Ziebach could get up to 5 inches of snow and 40 mph winds by midday Thursday.
Minnesota
Parts of west central Minnesota could get between 3 and 5 inches of snow through Wednesday and Thursday, which could make travel “very difficult.”
Lake of the Woods, northern and southern Beltrami, and northern Clearwater counties may receive up to 5 inches of snow on 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 through Thursday.
Wyoming
Up to 12 inches of snow and winds of up to 45 mph are expected to blast the Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges through Wednesday.
Maine
Northeast and northwest Aroostook counties could see snow and sleet by mid-morning Wednesday.
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