Warnings for heavy snow—up to 20 inches—have been issued by the National Weather Service (NWS), as it warns five states that travel may be “very difficult to impossible” for some from Monday or Tuesday.
States Affected by Heavy Snow
Parts of Alaska have been issued with winter storm warnings, which the NWS says mean heavy snow is expected within the next 24 hours.
Oregon and Washington are under winter storm watch alerts, which means “conditions are favorable for a winter storm,” and Utah and California have received winter weather advisories, meaning they should prepare for one or more of the following: snow, sleet, freezing rain and blowing snow.
Alaska
The Upper Tanana Valley should expect up to 6 inches of snow southeast of Tok and up to 12 inches of snow northeast of Tok by Tuesday, with winds reaching around 35 mph. The NWS has warned that the heaviest snowfall is likely along and near the Alaska Highway, from southeast of Delta Junction to Tok.
The eastern parts of the Alaska Range, north of Trims Camp, could see between 6 and 12 inches of snow in areas below 1,500 feet and between 12 and 18 inches of snow above 1,500 feet by Tuesday afternoon.
Oregon
Up to 10 inches of snow could fall across the eastern slopes of the Oregon Cascades with 45 mph winds, which could create “difficult driving conditions” from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday evening. The NWS has advised drivers to “delay all travel if possible.”
The south-central Cascades in Klamath and Douglas Counties could see up to 15 inches of snow and 45 mph winds from late Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday night—with the heaviest snowfall expected overnight Tuesday into Wednesday morning.
Between 9 and 18 inches of snow and winds reaching 45 mph could strike the northern and central Cascades of Oregon from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday.
Washington
The Cascades of Snohomish, Whatcom, Pierce and southern King County, along with northern King, Skagit and Lewis Counties, could get up to 20 inches of snow and winds reaching up to 35 mph from Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday.
The south Washington Cascades could get up to 18 inches of snow and 45 mph, particularly in areas above 3,500 feet, from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday night.
Utah
The central and southern mountains of Utah—including Joe’s Valley, Alton, Cove Fort, Brian Head, and Fish Lake—could see between 8 and 12 inches of snow, especially in areas near Brian Head and the Tushar Mountains, until Tuesday afternoon.
California
The northern and southern Ventura County Mountains, the Santa Barbara County interior mountains, the eastern and western San Gabriel Mountains, and the Interstate 5 and Highway 14 corridors could get between 6 inches of “wet snow” in areas above 6,000 feet by mid-Monday morning, coupled with winds reaching 40 mph.
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