Winter weather warnings have been issued to a number of states as high winds and up to 40 inches of snow are forecast to hit overnight on Saturday through Sunday, and even into next week in some cases, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Motorists have been warned that “travel could be very difficult to impossible” in some areas.
What To Know
California, Washington, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho are expected to be the worst-affected areas.
California
Yosemite National Park (outside the valley) has a NWS winter storm warning in place until Friday afternoon, as up to 8 feet of snow and 50 mph winds are expected to blast the park over the next few days, with the most significant snowfall forecast to land on Tuesday.
Washington
Between 12 and 22 inches of snow is expected to fall across the Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit Counties from Sunday morning through to early Monday morning.
Wyoming and Montana
Through Sunday into Monday afternoon, the Salt River, Wyoming Ranges, Absaroka Mountains and the Yellowstone National Park could see up to 30 inches of snow in areas above 8,000 feet, and the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains could get up to 40 inches of snow. Both areas likely to get 40 to 50 mph winds, with blowing snow likely to reduce visibility to under a quarter of a mile.
The Wind River Mountains east and west are also likely to get up to 40 inches of snow, but the NWS has warned that winds could reach up to 70 mph, especially over the south Pass and Red Canyon on Sunday afternoon into the evening.
The Beartooth and Crazy Mountains could get up to 3 feet of snow—mainly on the south and western facing slopes—and 40 mph winds through Sunday until Monday afternoon, with the NWS warning that “avalanche danger will continue.”
Idaho
The Big Lost Highlands, Copper Basin, Frank Church Wilderness, Sawtooth, Stanley Basin, and the Sun Valley Region are expected to see between 3 to 6 inches of snow along the bottom of the valleys and between 8 and 18 inches along the tops, in areas above 7,000 feet, from early Sunday morning through to mid-morning on Monday.
What People Are Saying
The NWS advises those who must travel to: “Keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Call 511.”
The NWS for Montana said: “Recreation in the high country will be impacted by heavy accumulating snow and blowing snow.”
What Happens Next
Residents and travelers have been urged by the NWS to take extra care during morning and evening commutes, and even reconsider travel in some places—which could be a blow in the run-up to Christmas, with many planning to travel to see family and friends.
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