Winter weather advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), which warn that up to 2 inches of snow and high winds could hit two states, as it warns residents and travelers in affected areas that these conditions are likely to create blowing snow, which could produce “periods of zero visibility.”
States Affected By Blowing Snow
According to the NWS, certain areas in Hawaii and Alaska are forecast to experience wintry conditions, including blowing snow, on Tuesday and, in some cases, lasting until Thursday.
Hawaii
Areas above 12,000 feet across the Big Island Summits are expected to get up to 2 inches of accumulated snow and freezing rain until Tuesday morning. The NWS has warned that “travel could be very difficult,” and drivers should “be prepared for “slippery roads and limited visibilities.”
Alaska
Point Hope is likely to get winds reaching up to 45 mph from Tuesday evening, which will produce blowing snow, reducing visibility down to less than half a mile, possibly until Thursday morning, the NWS warns. The highest winds are expected through Wednesday.
Advice For Those Affected By Winter Weather
The NWS warns that each year, on average, “more than 5,000 people are killed, and more than 418,000 are injured due to weather-related vehicle crashes.” Therefore, it advises drivers to take extra caution and drive slowly, leaving plenty of room between vehicles.
It also suggests that those who are likely to experience snow, freezing rain, and high winds over the next few days should be prepared if they must travel. They should make sure their vehicle is equipped with a winter storm survival kit in case they get stranded if conditions worsen. The kit should include items such as a shovel, blankets, a flashlight (with spare batteries), a first aid kit, calorie-dense, non-perishable food, and water, spare clothes, a tool kit, tow ropes, and a sack of sand or cat litter to provide extra traction if the vehicle gets stuck.
Winter weather—especially if strong winds are forecast—can also cause power outages, as wind can often bring down power lines, affecting homes. The NWS advises that residents should keep a flashlight handy (again, with extra batteries), and monitor weather updates and emergency information using a battery‑powered radio, or mobile alerts if available.
Ready—the official emergency preparedness website of the U.S. government—recommends that those affected by power outages should not use ovens or stoves to heat their homes and use flashlights instead of candles to lower the risk of fire. It also recommends unplugging all electronics and appliances to protect them from power surges when electricity returns and keeping refrigerators and freezers closed to preserve food.
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