Winter weather alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) are in effect across multiple U.S. states as of early Saturday, with some regions expected to receive up to two feet of snow.
The agency is cautioning residents about hazardous road conditions in the affected areas, warning that travel in certain locations could become “impossible.”
Winter storm warnings—issued when “a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent”—are active for central Iowa, western Colorado, northwest Washington, and portions of Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming.
In Colorado’s Elkhead and Park Mountains, the NWS said additional snowfall of eight to 16 inches is likely, with totals of up to two feet possible on the highest peaks of the Park Range.
In Utah, the Central Mountains, Wasatch Plateau/Book Cliffs, and the Western Uinta Mountains could see between one and two feet of snow, according to the agency. Drivers should expect winter road conditions on all mountain routes, “with significant impacts to conditions on Soldier Summit.”
These winter storm warnings are currently in effect until 5 a.m. MST Sunday.
In Montana, a winter storm warning for Lolo Pass and Highway 93 from Sula to Lost Trail Pass calls for heavy snow and warns that “major winter storm impacts” are possible.
One to five inches of snow is expected to accumulate in the valleys, with eight to 15 inches forecast for higher elevations, including Lolo and Lost Trail Passes, the NWS said.
“For MAJOR winter weather impacts, expect considerable disruptions to normal activities,” the warning stated. “Dangerous or impossible traveling conditions. Avoid travel in the impacted areas if possible. Widespread closures and disruptions to infrastructure may occur.”
Winter weather advisories—issued when wintry conditions are “expected to cause a significant inconvenience, but not serious enough to warrant a warning”—are also in effect for parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.
“A clipper system is expected to move from the Plains and into the Great Lakes Saturday Night into Sunday morning,” the NWS forecast office in Chicago said in a post on X on Friday.
“A swath of snow may lead to slippery road conditions especially during the overnight hours,” it added.
For local forecasts and the latest updates, regional NWS offices are providing frequent posts on the agency’s website and social media channels.
