Winter Storm Warning Issued As 25 Inches of Snow To Strike

By Amanda GreenwoodShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

Thousands of people in the U.S. could see up to 25 inches of snowfall from Tuesday into Wednesday, and in some areas even continuing through to Saturday, coupled with strong winds as high as 55 mph, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Why It Matters

High levels of snow and high winds could create blizzard-like conditions, reducing visibility and making driving conditions hazardous, especially during morning and evening commutes.

What To Know

...

The NWS has warned residents in Minnesota, particularly in Todd, Morrison, Kanabec, Wadena, Hubbard, Becker, and Otter Tail counties that a “potent storm system” will move across the area on Tuesday through the night, potentially bringing up to 7 inches of snow—with 1 inch per hour expected to fall at times—and winds up to 40 mph.

Snow accumulations between 4 and 11 inches are expected across northeastern and north-central Minnesota, including Carlton, St. Louis, Cook, Crow Wing, Aitkin, Cass, and Itasca counties, including the Tribal Lands of the Bois Forte Band, Deer Creek area. The Mille Lacs Band, Big Sandy Lake, and East Lake areas have also been warned that a “corridor of locally higher snowfall amounts is possible” from Tuesday into Wednesday. Kandiyohi, Meeker, Renville, Chippewa, Lac Qui Parle, and Swift counties could get up to 3 inches of snow, but experience winds gusting between 40 and 50 mph until Wednesday morning.

Ashland and Iron counties in northern Wisconsin could get up to 25 inches of localized snowfall from Tuesday night through Wednesday and into Thursday. Bayfield and Douglas Counties—including the Tribal Lands of the Red Cliff Band—and the Apostle Islands in northwestern Wisconsin and the northwest part of Vilas County, should expect up to 18 inches and winds up to 35 mph overnight Tuesday into Wednesday evening.

Parts of central Upper and western Upper Michigan could also see up to 25 inches of snow with wind gusts reaching up to 50 mph, especially along the shores of Lake Superior, until Thursday morning.

Northwest and most of central North Dakota, including the James River Valley, could get between 4 and 9 inches of snow and 45 mph winds. Parts of southwest and south central North Dakota could see up to 4 inches and 55 mph winds until Tuesday night.

Winds as high as 55 mph are also expected to hit regions in southeastern Montana—particularly Carter and Fallon—along with up to 2 inches of snow, until Tuesday morning. Between 1 and 3 inches of snowfall are expected in South Dakota, potentially affecting Campbell, Corson, Edmunds, McPherson, and Walworth Counties, with winds as high as 45 mph. Up to 7 inches and 45 mph winds could impact Marshall and Roberts counties in northeastern South Dakota.

The Cascades of southern and northern King County and the Cascades of Pierce and Lewis counties in Washington could get up to 10 inches of snow above 2,000 feet until early Wednesday morning. The upper slopes of the eastern Washington Cascades could also see up to 10 inches of snow, and the lower slopes up to 7 inches, with isolated freezing rain also expected to affect these areas.

Areas in northeastern Ohio, including Ashtabula Inland, Ashtabula Lakeshore, Geauga, and Lake counties, could see up to 8 inches and 45 mph winds from Thursday until Friday evening, with the NWS warning drivers that “visibilities may drop below ¼ mile due to falling and blowing snow.”

Crawford, northern Erie, and southern Erie counties in northwestern Pennsylvania could see over 1 foot of snow with winds as high as 45 mph from Wednesday night into Friday evening.

Northern Erie and Genesee Counties in New York might get up to 7 inches—with the highest snowfall likely to land south and east of the City of Buffalo and in southwest Genesee County—and 50 mph winds by Thursday afternoon, producing drifts and whiteout conditions. Southeastern St. Lawrence County could see between 4 and 10 inches until late Friday night, with visibility dropping to below ¼ mile due to blowing snow, and Madison, Northern Oneida, Onondaga, and Southern Oneida Counties could get between 3 and 8 inches with 40 mph winds until Saturday morning. Hamilton County could see up to 10 inches of snow, with the greatest accumulations expected mainly north of Route 28 and west of Route 30.

Areas in northern Michigan, specifically Antrim, Charlevoix, Crawford, Kalkaska, and Otsego Counties, should expect to see up to 10 inches of snow, with winds as high as 45 mph until Friday morning.

What People Are Saying

The NWS has said: “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.”

It has also issued the following warning to residents in badly affected areas—especially in Ohio, New York, and northwestern Pennsylvania: “Whiteout conditions are possible and may make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.. The hazardous conditions could impact holiday commuters.”

What Happens Next

Residents and drivers in affected areas are advised to continuously monitor local forecasts in the lead up to Thanksgiving, as the weather could significantly disrupt travel plans.

Request Reprint & LicensingSubmit CorrectionView Editorial & AI Guidelines