National Weather Service (NWS) winter alerts are in force on Saturday from Alaska’s Panhandle to the Upper Midwest, with heavy snow and difficult travel expected.
A fast‑moving winter system and a series of embedded snow bands have prompted the NWS to issue winter alerts across Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.
While most states are under winter weather advisories for lighter but disruptive snowfall, winter storm warnings are in effect across parts of southeast Alaska, where the highest snowfall totals are forecast through the weekend.
Alaska
Alaska faces the highest snowfall totals mentioned in the latest NWS alerts, with multiple winter storm warnings in effect across the Panhandle through Saturday night into Sunday.
The NWS in Juneau issued several warnings at 9:58 p.m. AKST Friday, February 27, including a winter storm warning for the City of Hyder from noon Saturday to noon AKST (Alaska Standard Time) Sunday.
Forecasters expect 11 to 14 inches of snow, with the heaviest snowfall rates Saturday night.
The advisory notes that snow may mix with rain Sunday morning and warns that travel will be difficult during the warning period.
Juneau is also under a winter storm warning from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. AKST Saturday, calling for 6 to 12 inches of snow.
The heaviest snowfall rates are expected midday Saturday into the early evening, a window that could lead to rapid accumulation on roads.
Additional winter storm warnings cover surrounding communities.
Areas including Gustavus, Hoonah, Tenakee Springs, Pelican and Elfin Cove are under a warning from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. AKST Saturday, with 5 to 10 inches forecast and the most intense snowfall expected around midday.
Petersburg and Wrangell are forecast to receive 6 to 10 inches from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, with another 6 to 12 inches possible under a winter storm watch from Sunday morning through Monday morning.
Elsewhere in Alaska, Sitka and parts of the southern Panhandle are under winter weather advisories for 3 to 7 inches of snow, with gusty winds up to 35 mph potentially complicating travel.
Farther north, a winter weather advisory for the Central Beaufort Sea Coast highlights blowing snow, wind gusts up to 45 mph, and visibility dropping below half a mile from Saturday afternoon through Sunday evening.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, the focus is on a quick‑moving band of snow capable of producing brief but hazardous travel.
The NWS in the Twin Cities issued multiple advisories at 4:12 a.m. CST (Central Standard Time) Saturday, warning that snowfall rates could approach one inch per hour along parts of the Minnesota River Valley.
While most areas are expected to receive 2 to 4 inches, forecasters said a narrow corridor could see up to 6 inches where the band intensifies.
Advisories remain in effect through Saturday afternoon or evening, depending on location, with snow expected to taper off from west to east. Across the advisory areas, officials warned that visibility reductions and slippery roads are likely during heavier bursts.
Wisconsin
Parts of Wisconsin are also under a winter weather advisory as the same narrow snow band moves east.
The NWS in La Crosse issued an advisory at 1:49 a.m. CST Saturday, effective from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST.
Snowfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with the potential for snowfall rates exceeding one inch per hour late morning into early afternoon, where the band sets up.
Forecasters cautioned that small shifts in the storm track could significantly affect local impacts, especially on road conditions.
Iowa
In northeast Iowa, the La Crosse advisory covers the same 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST Saturday window, with 2 to 4 inches of snow forecast.
The main concern is not total snowfall, but how quickly snow accumulates, which could lead to slick roads and reduced visibility during heavier periods.
North Dakota
Much of North Dakota is under winter weather advisories issued by the NWS in Bismarck at 3:41 a.m. CST Saturday.
Portions of western and south‑central North Dakota are under advisory until 9 a.m. CST, while south‑central and southeastern areas remain under advisory until noon CST.
Snow totals of 2 to 5 inches are expected, with officials urging drivers to plan for slippery road conditions, particularly during the morning hours.
South Dakota
In South Dakota, advisories emphasize slick travel and localized visibility issues.
The NWS in Aberdeen issued multiple advisories at 2:48 a.m. CST Saturday, with expiration times ranging from noon to 3 p.m. CST.
Snow totals of up to 2 inches are expected across several county groupings, with some areas seeing patchy blowing snow that could briefly reduce visibility. Bridges and overpasses are expected to become especially hazardous.
Additional advisories issued by the NWS in Sioux Falls remain in effect until 3 p.m. CST Saturday, calling for 2 to 3 inches of snow and warning of slippery roads.
Montana
In Montana, advisories cover a broad area but with generally lighter snowfall.
The NWS in Great Falls issued an advisory lasting until 11 a.m. MST Saturday, forecasting 1 to 2 inches in parts of Blaine County and the Bears Paw Mountains.
Farther northeast, the NWS in Glasgow warned of up to 1 inch through Saturday morning, noting that hazardous conditions could affect travel, particularly where snow overlaps with commute times.
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