A major winter storm has hit Minnesota, bringing blizzard warnings, heavy snow up to 8 inches in the Twin Cities, and significant travel disruptions including road closures, crashes, power outages, and delays at MSP Airport. Authorities advise against travel in affected areas as conditions worsen.
A wind advisory and blizzard warning have been issued for December 4, 2024, as a clipper system moves through Canada, bringing strong winds and snow to the Great Lakes region. The cold front will reach metro areas before sunrise on Thursday, causing temperatures to drop rapidly and wind chills to fall into the teens and 20s. Snowfall is expected to be less than 1 inch, with potential whiteout conditions in the mountains due to strong winds. The weekend will be cold and dry, with rain expected early next week.
A blizzard warning has been issued for parts of the Upper Peninsula in northern Michigan, with heavy snowfall of up to 2 feet and strong winds expected through Thursday. Widespread snow accumulations of 8-12 inches are forecast, with higher amounts in Marquette, Baraga, and western Alger counties. Wind gusts of up to 55 mph may cause reduced visibility, downed trees, and power outages, prompting the National Weather Service to advise restricting travel to emergencies and to be prepared with emergency supplies if travel is necessary.
Another winter storm is forecasted to bring accumulating snow to Colorado, with moderate to heavy snow expected overnight and temperatures dropping. Snow accumulations of 3-7" are expected across the metro area, 4 to 12" for the Palmer Divide, and 7 to 15" across the high country. Wind gusts up to 60 MPH are anticipated, prompting blizzard warnings in certain areas, and treacherous travel conditions are expected for the Monday morning commute.
Central and northern Nebraska are under a Blizzard Warning and Winter Weather Advisory with expected snow accumulations of up to 11 inches and ice accumulations of up to two tenths of an inch, along with wind gusts potentially reaching 55 mph. Several roads in northern Nebraska are completely covered with snow, and travel is expected to be affected.
A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow and strong winds to Minnesota and western Wisconsin from Sunday into Tuesday, with the potential for double-digit snow totals in many areas. Blizzard warnings and winter storm warnings are in effect for various regions, with travel expected to be very difficult to impossible. The storm may also bring a mix of rain and snow, particularly in southern areas, and strong winds could cause blowing snow. Residents are advised to stay updated on the latest forecasts and prepare for hazardous travel conditions.
A major snowstorm is expected to hit California's Sierra Nevada, with up to 10 feet of snow forecasted and blizzard warnings in place until Sunday. The National Weather Service has warned of dangerous avalanche conditions and advised against travel, with potential whiteout conditions and zero visibility. South Lake Tahoe has urged residents to prepare and recommended outsiders to stay away, while blizzard warnings cover a large area affecting over 555,000 people in eastern California and Nevada.
A powerful Pacific storm is expected to bring blizzard conditions and up to 10 feet of snow to the Sierra region in California, prompting a blizzard warning and potential road closures and power outages. The storm, forecasted to be the strongest of the season, is expected to create extremely dangerous travel conditions with white-out and near zero visibility. Ski resorts in the area are anticipating heavy snowfall, while residents and businesses are preparing for the storm's impact.
A blizzard warning has been issued for California as a new storm system is expected to bring over 10 feet of snow to the Sierra Nevada mountains, with gusty winds reaching 80 mph and potential for dangerous whiteout conditions. Avalanche warnings have also been issued for the region, with high to extreme avalanche danger expected. Rain is forecasted for the San Francisco Bay area and Southern California, with potential for flooding, landslides, and mudslides due to heavily saturated ground.
A potent storm front is causing rapid temperature changes, fueling wildfires in the Plains, and creating a tornado threat in the Midwest. The storm has led to mandatory evacuations in parts of Texas due to rapidly spreading fires, while the Midwest faces the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. Additionally, heavy snowfall and blizzard warnings are impacting the northern Rockies and northern Minnesota.
Portland is bracing for sub-zero wind chills and possible "blowing snow" on Saturday, with temperatures dropping and snow expected to continue through the day. The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for The Gorge and predicts 1 to 3 inches of snow in the Portland area. Multnomah County has declared a state of emergency in response to the extreme cold weather, urging residents to prepare for prolonged cold temperatures even after the snow stops.
A blizzard warning has been issued for central Iowa, with heavy snowfall expected to reach up to a foot in some areas. The extreme weather comes just days before the Iowa caucuses, with temperatures forecasted to drop below zero and wind chills reaching as low as -30 degrees. Des Moines schools have announced closures, and travel is not advised due to near-blizzard conditions. After the snowstorm, dangerously cold temperatures are expected, with lows dipping below zero and hazardous wind chills. Many Iowa communities have implemented snow ordinances, and plowing plans are in place to ensure safe access to major roads.
Nikki Haley's campaign has scrapped three in-person events in Iowa due to a blizzard warning, replacing them with "tele-town halls" as extreme winter weather continues to disrupt Republican presidential candidates' schedules ahead of the caucuses. The National Weather Service issued a warning for a storm expected to bring 6 to 10 inches of snowfall and increased wind, making travel extremely difficult. Other candidates, including Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, are also facing challenges in navigating their campaign events amidst the severe weather conditions.
Eastern Iowa is facing a series of weather warnings, including a Winter Storm Warning with 6-12" of snow, a Blizzard Warning with strong winds and reduced visibility, and a Wind Chill Watch with dangerously low temperatures. Travel is expected to be difficult, and residents are advised to limit travel to emergencies and prepare a Winter Survival Kit. The cold temperatures and wind chill values could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.
The first major winter storm of the season is expected to hit most of Minnesota on Friday, with the southern Twin Cities now included in the winter storm warning zone. Blizzard warnings have been issued for parts of southwest Minnesota and northern Iowa. The storm is forecasted to bring accumulating snow, strong winds, and dangerously cold temperatures, with the potential for over a foot of snow in southeast Minnesota. The Twin Cities may experience a wide range of snowfall totals, and blowing snow and subzero temperatures are expected across the region.