Urgent winter storm warnings have been issued in four states as heavy snow and dangerous travel conditions threaten to make roads impassable through the weekend.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued alerts for California, Nevada, New York and Michigan, warning of hazardous conditions that could affect commutes and holiday travel.
With forecasts expecting up to 4 feet of snow in select mountain regions and dangerous lake-effect storms in the Great Lakes, the impacts threaten travel, infrastructure and public safety for days to come.
How Long Warnings Last, Key Impacts and Advice
Warnings extend through Friday morning in Michigan, Friday night in parts of New York and into mid-Monday morning for California and Nevada, with the most severe impacts expected over the weekend.
Roads and bridges are set to become slick and hazardous, and travel could be almost impossible in some areas. Strong winds may cause tree damage and power outages, while visibility may drop to near zero in heavy snow bands.
Officials urge people to delay all travel if possible. If travel is unavoidable, carry emergency supplies such as food, water and a flashlight, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility and conditions.
The Sierra Nevada in California is expected to see the most snow, with up to 4.5 feet predicted in areas such as Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge and Yosemite National Park outside the valley.
The following states are affected by the alerts:
California
Warnings cover Yosemite National Park outside the valley, Kings Canyon, Sequoia and the Sierra Nevada, including Mono County and the greater Lake Tahoe area.
Snowfall could reach up to 55 inches (4.5 feet) in parts of the Sierra Nevada, with Mono County seeing as much as 4 feet on the highest peaks.
Travel may be impossible, and winds up to 100 mph could cause tree damage and power outages.
Nevada
The greater Lake Tahoe area is forecast to receive 1 to 3 feet of snow above 7,000 feet, with several inches at lake level.
Hazardous conditions may make weekend travel across the Sierra extremely difficult, and strong winds could damage trees and power lines.
New York
Counties—including Wayne, Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, Wyoming and Chautauqua—are under warnings through early Saturday.
Oswego County and parts of Wayne could see up to 3 feet of snow, while Wyoming, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and southern Erie counties may receive over a foot, with the greatest additional accumulations along the Lake Erie shore, Boston Hills and Chautauqua Ridge.
Travel may be almost impossible in heavy lake-effect snow bands, with near-zero visibility and deep snow cover.
Michigan
Central Chippewa County remains under a warning until 11 a.m. Eastern time on Friday, with an additional 6 to 10 inches of snow expected.
Driving conditions may be dangerous, and the Friday morning commute could be severely affected.
What People Are Saying
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a news release on December 30: “I urge everyone to use caution, prioritize safety and avoid any unnecessary travel in areas experiencing heavy snow and winter storms. My administration, emergency management teams, and plow and utility crews continue to actively respond to the ongoing winter weather to keep New Yorkers safe, and we stand ready to assist impacted communities over the holiday.”
The National Weather Service said: “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511.”
What Happens Next
Winter storm warnings remain in effect in the affected states through Saturday and into Monday for higher elevations in the West, signaling ongoing hazardous conditions.
The NWS expects hazardous travel, whiteouts and wind damage to persist in hard-hit areas, especially in the Sierra Nevada, Lake Tahoe and interior New York.
Emergency crews and local governments are maintaining response efforts, while residents are urged to remain indoors or limit travel until the storm subsides.
