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By Amanda GreenwoodShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberResidents in several states across the U.S. have been issued winter storm warnings, which may bring up to 20 inches of snow to some areas, which, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), could make “travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening” across Wednesday and Thursday, and, for some, even through to Saturday.
Why It Matters
Heavy snowfall and strong, gusty winds can cause blowing snow, blizzards, and whiteout conditions, which can reduce visibility and make road conditions dangerous, especially during the morning and evening commutes and for those planning to travel to celebrate Thanksgiving.
What To Know
Counties with the most severe winter weather warnings include Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, Washington, Montana, and Ohio.
Vilas County in Wisconsin could see up to 18 inches of snow in the northwest parts, and up to 15 inches in other areas, with winds up to 40 mph, which could affect travel and cause power outages until Thursday morning. Price, Burnett, Sawyer, and Washburn Counties—including the Tribal Lands of the St. Croix Band in Burnett County and the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation—could get between 5 and 11 inches by Wednesday night, with winds up to 45 mph, potentially reducing visibility to below a quarter of a mile.
Parts of central, west central, and southwestern Michigan, including Calhoun, Allegan, Barry, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren Counties, should prepare to see between 2 and 8 inches of snow and 55 mph winds, making travel potentially “life-threatening,” due to visibility dropping to below a quarter mile.
Charlevoix, Crawford, Missaukee, Otsego, Roscommon, Antrim, and Kalkaska Counties should expect between 6 and 18 inches of snow, with 45 mph winds until Friday evening. Iron and southern Houghton Counties could get up to 21 inches of snow by Thursday night, with Lake Superior seeing the heaviest snowfall.
...Multiple counties across Minnesota, including Benton, Kandiyohi, Meeker, Morrison, Renville, Stearns, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Redwood, Chippewa, Yellow Medicine, Todd, Douglas, Lac Qui Parle, Pope, Stevens, and Swift could get between 2 and 7 inches and winds reaching as high as 50 mph on Wednesday, which could reduce visibility to below a quarter of a mile.
Cameron, Elk, and Potter Counties in Pennsylvania could see up to 7 inches of snow and 40 mph winds from Thursday through to Saturday, and McKean and Warren Counties could get up to 12 inches by Saturday.
Jefferson, Lewis, Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Southern Erie Counties in New York should brace themselves for up to 20 inches of snow and 50 mph winds from Thursday until Saturday morning. Northern Erie, Genesee, Niagara, and Orleans Counties could get between 2 and 5 inches of snow and 50 mph winds until Thursday. Southwestern St. Lawrence and southern Franklin Counties could see up to 8 inches and winds as high as 40 mph until Friday night.
Leavenworth, Plain, Stehekin, Stevens Pass, and Holden Village in Washington could get up to 4 inches of snow below 4,000 feet and up to 10 inches above 4,000 feet on Wednesday.
Parts of north-central Montana could see between 4 and 7 inches by Friday afternoon. Northwestern areas of Montana, including Marias Pass, Essex, Highway 83 (Bigfork to Swan Lake), Glacier National Park, Bad Rock Canyon, and Polebridge, could get up to 12 inches of snow on the highest levels.
In Ohio, Ashtabula Inland, Ashtabula Lakeshore, Cuyahoga, Geauga, and Lake Counties could get up to 13 inches—with the heaviest snowfall expected to land in northern Geauga County and in Lake County south of I-90 and in far northeast Ashtabula County—with winds up to 50 mph, until Friday evening.
What People Are Saying
The NWS for Michigan said: “Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.”
The NWS also warned residents in affected areas to: “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 in case you become stranded.”
What Happens Next
Travelers and residents in affected areas should closely monitor their local weather forecasts and consider delaying travel plans, if possible.
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