Thousands of people across the United States are facing the potential for major snowfall from Tuesday into Wednesday — and in some locations through Saturday — with some areas forecast to receive as much as 25 inches of snow. The National Weather Service (NWS) is also warning of strong winds that could gust up to 55 mph.
Why It Matters
The combination of heavy snow and strong winds could create near-blizzard conditions, sharply reducing visibility and making roads extremely hazardous, particularly during peak commuting hours in the morning and evening.
What To Know
The NWS has alerted residents in parts of Minnesota, including Todd, Morrison, Kanabec, Wadena, Hubbard, Becker, and Otter Tail counties, that a “potent storm system” will move through the region on Tuesday and into the night. These areas could see up to 7 inches of snow, with snowfall rates at times reaching 1 inch per hour, and wind gusts up to 40 mph.
Across northeastern and north-central Minnesota—covering Carlton, St. Louis, Cook, Crow Wing, Aitkin, Cass, and Itasca counties, along with the Tribal Lands of the Bois Forte Band near the Deer Creek area—snow totals between 4 and 11 inches are expected. The Mille Lacs Band, Big Sandy Lake, and East Lake areas have also been advised that a “corridor of locally higher snowfall amounts is possible” from Tuesday into Wednesday. Kandiyohi, Meeker, Renville, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, and Swift counties may only see up to 3 inches of snow, but winds in these locations could still gust between 40 and 50 mph into Wednesday morning.
In northern Wisconsin, Ashland and Iron counties could receive localized totals of up to 25 inches of snow from Tuesday night through Wednesday and into Thursday. Bayfield and Douglas counties—including the Tribal Lands of the Red Cliff Band—as well as the Apostle Islands in northwestern Wisconsin and the northwest portion of Vilas County, may see up to 18 inches of snow and winds up to 35 mph from Tuesday night into Wednesday evening.
Parts of central and western Upper Michigan could also be hit with up to 25 inches of snow, with wind gusts up to 50 mph, especially along the Lake Superior shoreline through Thursday morning.
In North Dakota, northwest and much of central portions of the state, including the James River Valley, are forecast to receive between 4 and 9 inches of snow and winds up to 45 mph. Areas in southwest and south central North Dakota may see up to 4 inches of snow but could experience stronger winds, with gusts up to 55 mph, through Tuesday night.
Southeastern Montana, particularly Carter and Fallon counties, may get up to 2 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 55 mph through Tuesday morning. In South Dakota, 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected in parts of the state—including Campbell, Corson, Edmunds, McPherson, and Walworth counties—accompanied by winds as high as 45 mph. Marshall and Roberts counties in northeastern South Dakota could see up to 7 inches of snow and 45 mph wind gusts.
In Washington State, the Cascades of southern and northern King County, as well as the Cascades of Pierce and Lewis counties, could see up to 10 inches of snow above 2,000 feet through early Wednesday morning. The upper slopes of the eastern Washington Cascades may receive up to 10 inches, with lower slopes picking up as much as 7 inches. Isolated freezing rain is also possible in these areas.
Across northeastern Ohio—including Ashtabula Inland, Ashtabula Lakeshore, Geauga, and Lake counties—up to 8 inches of snow and winds up to 45 mph are forecast from Thursday through Friday evening. The NWS has cautioned that “visibilities may drop below ¼ mile due to falling and blowing snow.”
In northwestern Pennsylvania, Crawford, northern Erie, and southern Erie counties could see more than a foot of snow, with winds up to 45 mph from Wednesday night into Friday evening.
In New York, northern Erie and Genesee counties might see up to 7 inches of snow—likely heaviest south and east of Buffalo and in southwest Genesee County—along with 50 mph wind gusts by Thursday afternoon, leading to drifting snow and whiteout conditions. Southeastern St. Lawrence County is forecast to receive between 4 and 10 inches of snow through late Friday night, with visibility occasionally dropping below ¼ mile in blowing snow. Madison, Northern Oneida, Onondaga, and Southern Oneida counties could pick up between 3 and 8 inches of snow and see winds up to 40 mph through Saturday morning. Hamilton County could see up to 10 inches of snow, with the highest totals expected mainly north of Route 28 and west of Route 30.
In northern Michigan—especially Antrim, Charlevoix, Crawford, Kalkaska, and Otsego counties—up to 10 inches of snow is expected, along with winds up to 45 mph through Friday morning.
What People Are Saying
The NWS has urged residents to think carefully before traveling, stating:
“Persons should consider delaying all travel. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution. Consider taking a winter storm kit along with you, including such items as tire chains, booster cables, flashlight, shovel, blankets, and extra clothing. Also take water, a first aid kit, and anything else that would help you survive in case you become stranded.”
For areas expected to be hit hardest—especially in Ohio, New York, and northwestern Pennsylvania—the agency issued another stark warning:
“Whiteout conditions are possible and may make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. The hazardous conditions could impact holiday commuters.”
What Happens Next
People living in or traveling through the affected regions are strongly advised to keep a close eye on updated local forecasts and NWS alerts in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, as the storm could cause significant disruptions to holiday travel plans.
