Maps show 15 states bracing for winter storms, up to 8 feet of snow

Maps from the National Weather Service (NWS) show a sprawling winter storm system taking shape across the western United States, with alerts stretching across more than a dozen states as forecasters warn of intense snowfall that could reach staggering totals in the highest peaks.

Meteorologists warn that parts of the Sierra Nevada may see up to 8 feet of accumulation, with other western mountain ranges also bracing for heavy snow and dangerous travel conditions.

Fifteen states across the West, Intermountain, Northern Plains and Midwest regions are now under a patchwork of winter storm warnings, watches, and advisories as a powerful system pushes inland, threatening deep snow, whiteout conditions, and treacherous mountain passes. These alerts underscore growing travel risks across impacted states as forecasters monitor rapidly developing snowfall bands and warn residents to prepare for hazardous winter weather in the days ahead.

As of Monday morning, winter storm warnings, winter weather advisories and winter storm watches were in place for the following states: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.

For some states in the West and Intermountain West, impacts have already started, whereas the winter storm watches in the Northern Plains and Midwest will go into effect on Tuesday.

Monday Winter Storm Impacts

The most widespread winter storm impacts on Monday are expected across the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, according to a map from the NWS Weather Prediction Center. Impacts will spread eastward into the Intermountain West as the day progresses.

“A period of heavy snow is expected Monday night, with snowfall continuing into Tuesday afternoon,” NWS Salt Lake City, Utah, said in a winter storm warning. “A brief lull is expected Tuesday afternoon before ramping up again Tuesday evening. Another round of heavy snow is expected mid-day Wednesday. Very strong winds, peaking Monday evening, will persist through at least Wednesday.”

Tuesday Winter Storm Impacts

Heavy snow impacts will spread well into the western U.S. by Tuesday, with most states across the region expecting a high chance of at least minor winter storm impacts, according to the NWS Weather Prediction Center.

In most cases, winter storm warnings currently in place across the region will remain in place until Wednesday night or Thursday at least. Heavy snow will accumulate across a series of three storms, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

“It will be a wet week across California as a series of storm systems slam into the state,” AccuWeather meteorologist Kai Kerkow told Newsweek in an email. “Multiple inches of rain will fall across much of the state, with several feet of snow expected in the Sierra.”

Wednesday Winter Storm Impacts

Impacts will continue across the West on Wednesday, with widespread impacts stretching into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest as well. Winter storm watches are currently in place for North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, warning of heavy snow that could begin by Tuesday night.

“Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow,” NWS Duluth, Minnesota, said in the winter storm watch. “Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes. Strong winds could cause tree damage.”

By Thursday, the worst of the winter storm impacts are expected to wane across the region, but some chance of impacts will persist through the entirety of the NWS Weather Prediction Center’s immediate winter weather forecast, which runs through February 23.

Snowfall amounts will vary depending on location, with lower elevation areas expecting rain rather than snow, with amounts potentially significant enough to cause flash flooding. People within the storms’ paths are encouraged to monitor local weather forecasts and limit traveling during the worst weather.