Winter weather-related alerts from the National Weather Service (NWS) were in effect across a wide stretch of the United States early Monday, with some areas forecast to see snowfall totals approaching two feet.
In Alaska, the NWS has issued winter storm warnings—alerts used “when a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent”—for several locations. In the Lower 48, parts of New York are under a winter weather advisory, while freeze warnings extend across portions of Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, and Georgia. Cold weather advisories also cover much of the Eastern U.S.
Alaska winter storm warnings
Warnings were posted for the following areas:
- Petersburg Borough, Western Kupreanof Island and Kuiu Island (until 6 a.m. AKST Monday)
- Hoonah, Tenakee Springs, and the City and Borough of Juneau (until 6 p.m. AKST Monday)
- Cape Fairweather to Lisianski Strait, including Elfin Cove and Pelican (until 6 p.m. AKST Monday)
- Admiralty Island, including Angoon (until 6 a.m. AKST Monday)
- City of Hyder (until 6 a.m. AKST Tuesday)
The NWS forecast office in Juneau said a “long duration snow event” was underway across the Alaska panhandle Sunday night and expected to continue into Monday. Forecasters noted the strongest snowfall rates were increasingly likely near the Icy Strait corridor Sunday evening as another wave of precipitation moved in from the south, with an additional band of snow expected Monday as a low-pressure system stalled offshore. More limited totals were expected later Monday in parts of the central panhandle due to warmer air aloft and reduced moisture.
For Hyder, the NWS warned that 18 to 22 inches of additional accumulation could be possible, with travel conditions expected to be “very difficult.” Forecasters added that totals depend heavily on whether cold air remains in place—if warmer air pushes in, snowfall amounts could drop sharply.
New York advisory and slippery travel
In upstate New York, winter weather advisories were issued for select areas, with the NWS urging drivers to anticipate slick roads and noting that Monday commutes could be affected.
Freeze warnings and dangerous cold
Freeze warnings were issued for southeast Texas, southwest Louisiana, southeast Alabama, southern Georgia, and parts of northern Florida, with subfreezing temperatures expected.
Several alerts also cautioned that exposure to the cold could raise the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, particularly for anyone outdoors without adequate protection.
In West Virginia, the NWS warned of extreme cold in northwest Pocahontas, southeast Randolph, and western Greenbrier counties, where wind chills as low as 20 below were possible. Those alerts were in force until 10 a.m. EST Monday as of reporting.
Cold weather advisories were also posted across parts of:
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- Georgia
- Florida
- Arkansas
- Tennessee
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- Maryland
- West Virginia
- Kentucky
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
USPS service impacts possible
The United States Postal Service said winter conditions in the Northern Plains, Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Northeastern U.S. “may impact the processing, transportation, and delivery of mail and packages.”
USPS listed potentially affected areas as: Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, District of Columbia, New York, New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine.
