Multiple winter storm warnings have been issued as up to 19 inches of snow and winds as high as 40 mph are forecast to blast four states across the U.S., from Thursday, January 6, into Friday, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
Which States Are Affected by Winter Storms?
Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and New Mexico have been given winter storm warnings by the NWS, as they are likely to be the most affected by the severe winter weather.
Idaho
Post Falls, Hayden, Worley, and Coeur d`Alene have a winter storm warning in place until Friday afternoon, as the NWS has forecast additional snow accumulations of up to 2 inches, which could make roads “hazardous” and is likely to affect the Thursday morning and evening commutes.
Washington
Up to 12 inches of snow and 45 mph winds are expected to hit Holden Village, Stehekin, and Stevens Pass, while up to 10 inches of snow and 40 mph winds could strike over the northwest Blue Mountains by Thursday afternoon.
The upper slopes of the eastern Washington Cascades Crest might see up to 9 inches of snow and the lower slopes up to 3 inches, with wind gusts reaching 40 mph until Thursday afternoon, which could create “difficult driving conditions.”
The Cascades of Snohomish, King, Whatcom, Skagit, Pierce and Lewis Counties could get up to 19 inches of snow and 40 mph winds until Thursday afternoon.
Oregon
The northern Blue Mountains of Oregon could see up to 10 inches of snow and 40 mph winds, and the eastern slopes of the Oregon Cascades are likely to get up to 9 inches and 40 mph winds lasting until Thursday afternoon.
The southern Oregon Cascades could see between 4 and 10 inches of snow, the Siskiyou Mountains between 2 and 5 inches, and the Douglas County Foothills (including the Toketee Falls) between 2 and 4 inches by Thursday morning.
The south Washington Cascades and the northern and central Cascades of Oregon are expected to get between 6 and 15 inches of snow in areas between 2,000 and 5,000 feet and up to 2 feet in places above 5,000 feet, with winds as high as 35 mph until Thursday afternoon.
New Mexico
The Chuska Mountains could see winds up to 35 mph and as much as 12 inches of snow above 8,000 feet, while the NWS warns that Whitewater Baldy Peak in Catron County could receive up to 24 inches.
The northern and southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Sandia and Manzano Mountains, the far northwest Highlands, the Tusas Mountains, and the Jemez Mountains are forecast to get up to 12 inches of snow above 7,500 feet, with 35 mph winds until Friday morning.
NWS Advice for Affected Areas
The NWS has told those in affected areas that “travel could be very difficult to impossible.”
Where snow levels and high winds are the most extreme, the NWS advises residents to “consider delaying all travel,” but “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.”
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