Winter Weather Warnings in 8 States As 24 Inches of Snow To Hit

Winter storm warnings and advisories are in place across eight states due to expected snowfall, freezing rain, and hazardous blizzard road conditions.
Why It Matters
Snow can cause travel disruptions and create hazardous driving conditions.
Vulnerable populations, including infants and senior citizens, are at heightened risk of health issues due to the dangers of freezing temperatures.
File photo: Motorists drive on a snow-covered Lake Tahoe Boulevard, February 20, 2021, in South Lake Tahoe, California. File photo: Motorists drive on a snow-covered Lake Tahoe Boulevard, February 20, 2021, in South Lake Tahoe, California. Kirby Lee/ASSOCIATED PRESS
What To Know
As of Sunday morning, the states under winter storm warnings were California, Nevada, and Alaska, where a blizzard is also in place.
Additionally, winter weather advisories are in place elsewhere in those three states, as well as in Colorado, Wyoming, Michigan, and New York.
A map released by the NWS shows the areas impacted, with pink meaning a storm warning is in place, and purple showing there is an advisory. Red indicates a blizzard warning.
A map of extreme weather warnings released by the National Weather Service, January 26, 2025. A map of extreme weather warnings released by the National Weather Service, January 26, 2025. National Weather Service
A winter storm warning indicates that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected. It can also be issued if sleet accumulation will be at least half-an-inch.
A winter weather advisory indicates less severe conditions, but still warns of snow, sleet or freezing rain capable of causing travel hazards.
Here is the breakdown of the areas which will see the worst conditions:
California, Nevada, and Arizona
A major winter storm is bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous travel conditions across parts of California, Nevada, and Arizona. Winter storm warnings are in place along the southern Sierra Nevada, with storm advisories stretching north into the central Sierra Nevada, and south into northeastern Arizona.
In California, a storm warning is in place for San Bernardino Mountains, the Riverside County Mountains and the eastern San Gabriel Mountains, where up to 14 inches of snow could accumulate.
The southern Sierra Nevada ranges have the heaviest snowfall forecast in the United States, with the 3 to 6 inches above 4,000 feet becoming 24 inches of snow expected above 7,500 feet.
On the Nevada side, the same storm is producing 5 to 10 inches of snow above 7,000 feet in Esmeralda and Central Nye County. Death Valley National Park, which straddles both states, will see up to 6 inches of snow above 4,500 feet, with difficult travel conditions on Highway 190.
In the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon, 8 to 16 inches of snow are expected at higher elevations through Tuesday morning, with snow accumulation possible along the Red Rock Loop.
The storm’s influence extends to northeastern Arizona’s Western Mogollon Rim, where 4 inches of snow are forecast.
Advisories also stretch across the southern and central Sierra Nevada in California and Nevada, impacting Mono County, the Lake Tahoe region, and the Owens Valley. With snow accumulations up to 10 inches and widespread gusty winds, travel in these regions will remain treacherous through 4 p.m. Monday. Travelers should prepare for delays and icy roadways.
Alaska
Alaska is facing some of the most-extreme winter storm conditions in the United States this weekend, with up to 18 inches of snow forecast. Several, winter storm warnings, a blizzard warning, and winter storm advisories are in place covering most of the state’s interior, south central, and southwest regions.
A blizzard warning is in effect for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta until 9 p.m. Sunday, with 9 to 17 inches of snow, 50 mph gusts, and wind chills as low as minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Eastern Aleutians face 12 to 18 inches of snow at higher elevations, 60 mph gusts, and half-mile visibility until 3 p.m. Sunday.
The South Slopes of the Central Brooks Range, Upper Koyukuk Valley, and Dalton Highway Summits will see 6 to 10 inches of snow through 6 p.m. Sunday AKST. In the Central Interior, similar snow totals and mixed precipitation will last until 3 a.m. Monday.
The White Mountains and high terrain south of the Yukon River are under a warning until noon Sunday, with up to 10 inches of snow, gusts of 45 mph, and reduced visibility.
In the Middle Yukon Valley and Lower Yukon and Innoko Valleys, 8 to 18 inches of snow and rain below 1,500 feet are forecast through 3 a.m. Monday. The Upper Kuskokwim Valley will see 3 to 15 inches of snow and significant freezing rain, with up to 0.5 inches of ice near McGrath, making power outages likely.
Winter weather advisories cover much of southwest and south-central Alaska, including Fairbanks, Bristol Bay, and the Copper River Basin, through Sunday evening or Monday morning.
Michigan
Winter weather advisories remain in effect across parts of northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula until 7 a.m. EST Sunday morning. In northern Michigan, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, and Otsego Counties are expected to see light snowfall bringing up to an additional inch of accumulation.
Central and Western Chippewa Counties in the Upper Peninsula are forecast to receive 1 to 2 inches of snow.
New York
Northeastern New York is also forecast for heavy snow and winter storm conditions.
A lake-effect snow warning is in effect for the Eastern Lake Ontario region until 6 a.m. Monday EST. Persistent lake-effect snow bands are expected to bring accumulations of 9 to 18 inches, with the heaviest snowfall concentrated on the Tug Hill Plateau.
Winds gusting up to 35 mph will create areas of blowing and drifting snow, making travel hazardous.
A winter weather advisory is in place for Northern Oneida, Hamilton, and Northern Herkimer Counties through Monday morning. These areas are forecast to receive up to 6 inches of snow.
Wyoming and Colorado
Winter weather advisories are in effect in the mountains and valleys along the Wyoming-Colorado border until Sunday morning.
The Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges are expecting up to 6 inches of snow and winds gusting to 40 mph, creating hazardous travel conditions. In the Elkhead and Park Mountains, as well as the Flat Tops, up to 3 inches of snow.
Lighter snow is forecast for Rabbit Ears Pass, Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Medicine Bow Range, with about 1 inch of accumulation. The Upper Yampa River Basin will see snow totals of up to 2 inches.
Travel and Safety
The NWS urges residents in affected areas to limit travel during severe weather and to carry emergency supplies such as flashlights, food and water. Motorists should prepare for sudden visibility changes, blizzard conditions, and icy roads.
As the winter storms progress, more updates are expected from local authorities to guide residents and travelers through potentially dangerous conditions.
What Happens Next
The duration of the winter storm watches varies from state to state, so please check with the NWS. Newsweek will keep you updated.