Winter weather warning for 5 states with heavy snow forecast

Winter storm warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) are in place for six U.S. states as of early Friday, with heavy snow forecast in some parts of the country.

Why It Matters

Challenging driving conditions may affect travel as many Americans journey across the country following the holiday season.

Certain vulnerable populations, such as young infants and senior citizens, face increased health risks from the dangers associated with freezing temperatures.

What To Know

At the time of writing, states under advisory from the NWS include Montana, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and California.

Areas affected included central, northern, and northwestern Montana, north-central California, central West Virginia, western Maryland, and western Pennsylvania.

While expected snowfall varied from state to state, in Montana's Beartooth Mountains, up to 16 inches of snow accumulation was possible, the NWS said.

The NWS warned that travel could be very difficult in many of the affected areas, with roads and bridges potentially becoming slick and hazardous.

In West Virginia, the service said whiteout conditions were expected to make travel "treacherous and potentially life-threatening."

In some instances, delaying travel was advised. If travel was absolutely necessary, the NWS urged travelers to drive with extreme caution and bring a winter storm kit along with them.

In California, a storm warning was in effect from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. for elevations above 5,500 feet for the West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park, including Highway 50 and Interstate 80.

Snow rates of around one to two inches per hour were possible, with the heaviest snow rates for the I-80 and Highway 50 corridors in the afternoon and early evening, the NWS said.

What People Are Saying

Meteorologist Ryan Dennia wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: "WINTER WEATHER ALERTS are in effect for most of Montana for tomorrow and Saturday, with some alerts remaining in effect through Sunday for eastern Montana. 3-12" of snow is expected throughout most of the state through Saturday evening."

Meteorologist Leo Hirsbrunner wrote on X, Friday: "Our first wintry weather event will bring some accumulating snow toward the mountains. The National Weather Service has a Winter Storm Warning for parts of Pocahontas and Greenbrier County, West Virginia where will see the most snow today."

What Happens Next

While the duration of the winter storm warnings varied from state to state, the latest warnings were in place until 5 p.m. Saturday at the time of writing.

The arctic polar vortex has been forecast to push frigid winds across much of the U.S. in the coming weeks.

Below-average temperatures are expected across the eastern half of the country.

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