Millions of Americans are facing hazardous winter weather as powerful storms sweep across the United States, prompting warnings and advisories in more than a dozen states.
Forecasters say the most significant impacts—snow totals reaching up to 24 inches and damaging winds—are expected in Alaska, along with parts of the Midwest and the Great Lakes, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
The latest round of alerts covers Alaska, Wisconsin, New York, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky and Indiana.
Overall, the system is delivering a dangerous mix of heavy lake-effect snow, sudden whiteouts, and patchy freezing rain, with the harshest conditions unfolding in south-central Alaska. In some areas, travel could become extremely dangerous—or even impossible—while power outages and property damage remain possible.
Alaska
Alaska is taking the hardest hit, with multiple winter weather warnings expected to remain in place through Saturday night.
Heavy snow is hammering the Denali region and the eastern Alaska Range, with some areas approaching two feet of accumulation.
Near Thompson Pass, totals could reach 24 inches, with 40 to 50 mph wind gusts and the added threat of freezing rain.
Travel may become impossible in parts of the state, including the southern Denali Borough and sections of the eastern Alaska Range.
The NWS said: “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For the latest road conditions, call 511 or visit 511.alaska.gov.”
Wisconsin
In northern Wisconsin, especially Iron County, lake-effect snow is piling up, with totals expected to reach up to a foot by midday Saturday.
Visibility may drop suddenly, creating dangerous whiteouts—making travel particularly difficult through Friday.
New York
Communities near Oswego, Wayne and Cayuga counties are under a winter storm warning until Friday afternoon.
Persistent lake-effect snow could add 2 to 6 inches through Friday morning, creating “hazardous conditions” for the morning commute.
Michigan
Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula is expecting 8 to 15 inches of snow through Saturday, with the heaviest totals likely in higher terrain—especially west of a line from Ironwood to White Pine and from Mass City to Painesdale, according to the NWS.
Farther south, from Muskegon to Grand Rapids, lingering lake-effect bands could keep roads slick through Friday.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, the biggest concern is fast-moving snow squalls paired with wind gusts up to 45 mph.
Snow amounts may stay modest, but visibility can drop quickly across wide areas through Friday evening, creating sudden dangers for drivers.
North Dakota
Northeast North Dakota is facing similar squall-driven threats, as winds up to 50 mph blow light snowfall into near-whiteout conditions. A winter weather advisory remains in effect through Friday evening.
The NWS said: “Plan on slippery road conditions. Falling and blowing snow, frequently reducing visibility below a half mile, will make travel dangerous, especially in open country.
“The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning and evening commutes.”
South Dakota
In central and north-central South Dakota, forecasters expect the strongest winds of the outbreak—potentially reaching 65 mph.
Even light snow could become dangerous in these conditions, producing ground blizzards through Friday evening.
Iowa
Much of Iowa is expected to see brief but intense snow squalls on Friday.
Totals are expected to stay under an inch, but visibility could drop to near zero within minutes, especially during the afternoon. Winds of 35 to 45 mph may worsen conditions and could bring down small branches, making travel unpredictable from late morning onward.
Nebraska
In northeast Nebraska—including Dixon and Dakota counties—light snow and winds up to 55 mph could keep blowing snow hazards going through Friday.
Visibility may drop suddenly, especially across open areas and rural highways.
Pennsylvania
Northwest and central Pennsylvania could see 1 to 4 inches through early Sunday, with Saturday’s squalls capable of producing sudden, hazardous whiteouts.
Drivers should be prepared for slick bridges and overpasses, along with intermittent sharp reductions in visibility through the weekend.
West Virginia
Higher elevations in Pocahontas, Webster, Randolph and Tucker counties may receive 1 to 5 inches through Saturday, with icy conditions lingering in ridgeline areas.
Maryland
In Garrett County, 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected, along with wind gusts up to 35 mph through Saturday afternoon. Snow showers may linger into the evening.
Kentucky and Indiana
A quick burst of early morning snow could make roads slick along and north of I-64 on Friday.
While totals are expected to remain under an inch, the timing—during the morning commute—could still lead to minor accidents and spinouts, especially on untreated roads.
