Winter bites back into the nation through the weekend as separate wintry weather disturbances line the northernmost states.
Beginning in the Northwest, a series of disturbances will funnel Pacific moisture across the region from today through Sunday night, shifting eastward across the Rockies as the weekend progresses. Only the highest peaks of the Cascades will surpass 8 inches of snow, but many slopes in the Wyoming and Colorado Rockies will reach 8 to 12 inches by Sunday night, keeping ski season alive. Lower elevations (between 3,500 and 6,000 feet) will see lighter totals of 2 to 4 inches across the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and central Rockies. A wintry mix is likely at these mid-elevations.
Meanwhile, east of the Rockies, cold air surges southward into the north-central Plains as a new storm system develops on Saturday. Snow will spread across its northern and western edges, targeting South Dakota, central Minnesota, and areas near Lake Superior. Widespread totals of 6 to 10 inches are expected, with localized amounts exceeding a foot—especially west of Lake Superior, where some spots could see up to 18 inches by Sunday.
Further east, winter weather and a dangerous icy mix will create hazardous travel across northern and upstate New York into central and northern New England through the weekend. Heavy snow will pile up in the Adirondacks, Green Mountains, and White Mountains, where 8 to 12 inches could fall. Lower elevations may see 2 to 8 inches, with lighter amounts near the coast.
The bigger concern, however, will be ice. Freezing rain will glaze areas around Lake Superior by Friday evening before spreading into the Northeast on Saturday. This ice won’t have a chance to melt before another warm front reinforces it late Saturday through Sunday night.
When all is said and done, ice accumulations over half an inch could cripple power lines and halt travel in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, upstate New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. A quarter-inch of ice will be more widespread, still enough to snarl roads and down trees, while light glazes (under a tenth of an inch) may cause minor issues in northern Minnesota and Maine.
Ice Storm Warnings are in effect for much of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, while Winter Weather Advisories stretch from northeastern Montana to Vermont. Winter Storm Watches also cover north-central Wisconsin, New Hampshire, and western Maine.
Prepare now for dangerous conditions. An emergency kit with a weather radio, extra batteries, non-perishable food, water, warm clothing, and blankets can keep your family safe. Stay updated on the latest forecasts via the WeatherBug App or your local weather station.
