Winter weather warnings for seven states as hazardous blowing snow forecast

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings and advisories across seven states: Michigan, Indiana, Alaska, Tennessee, New York, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Blowing snowfall, hazardous travel conditions and reduced visibility are expected in many areas.

A Winter Storm Warning indicates that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected. It can also be issued if sleet accumulation will be at least half an inch.

A Winter Weather Advisory is issued for one or more of the following: snow of 3 to 5 inches in 12 hours, sleet accumulation up to 1/4 inch, freezing rain in combination with sleet and/or snow, or blowing snow.

Here is a breakdown of the situation by state:

Alaska

Alaska has winter storm warnings across multiple regions, with heavy snow and potential rain creating hazardous conditions.

• The Dalton Highway Summits has an advisory in place until 6 p.m. Monday, with blowing snow expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will reduce visibility to a half mile or less at times.
• The City and Borough of Juneau has warnings active until noon Monday, with 8 to 13 inches of snow forecast.
• In Hyder, heavy snow of 4 to 6 inches is expected to transition to rain by Monday morning.
• Haines Borough and Klukwan face similar warnings until 6 p.m. Monday, with snow totals ranging from 4 to 9 inches.

Travelers are warned of poor visibility, slippery roads, and localized freezing rain.

Michigan

Multiple counties in Michigan are under winter storm warnings or advisories due to heavy lake-effect snow.

• Cass, Northern Berrien, and Southern Berrien Counties face warnings from 10 a.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday, with 6 to 9 inches of snow expected, causing difficult commutes Monday evening and Tuesday morning.
• Ottawa, Allegan, and Van Buren Counties have active warnings until 1 a.m. Tuesday, with heavy snow bands potentially accumulating 8 to 12 inches.

• Northern counties, including Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Kalkaska, remain under warnings until 7 a.m. Tuesday, with totals of 5 to 10 inches. Other counties such as Benzie, Wexford, and Manistee are also expected to experience challenging travel conditions.
• Several counties, including Mason, Lake, and Osceola, are under advisories, with snow accumulations of 1 to 7 inches reported in affected areas.

The NWS advises caution, especially during commute hours, as rapidly changing visibility and slippery roads are likely.

Indiana

Warnings and advisories are in place for parts of Indiana, particularly along the Michigan border.

• St. Joseph County is under a winter storm warning from 3 p.m. Monday to 10 a.m. Tuesday, expecting heavy lake-effect snow of 4 to 7 inches.
• Areas near Elkhart and Northern La Porte Counties have advisories for 2 to 4 inches of snow, potentially higher locally.

The NWS said there would be hazardous road conditions, particularly during peak commute times Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

Tennessee

The East Tennessee Mountains are under a winter weather advisory from 5 p.m. Monday to 7 a.m. Tuesday. Snow accumulation above 2,500 feet could reach 2 to 4 inches, leading to potentially hazardous conditions on mountain roads.

New York

New York faces a mix of advisories as lake-effect snow impacts several counties.

• Wyoming County remains under advisory until 7 a.m. Monday, with 1 to 3 inches expected.
• Snow accumulation in Wayne and Northern Cayuga Counties is forecast to reach 2 to 4 inches, with heavier bands near Syracuse and Auburn, where totals may approach 5 inches.

Morning commutes could be impacted by slippery and snow-covered roads.

Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, advisories are in effect in areas like Iron and Vilas Counties.

• Iron County is expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of snow, with localized totals reaching 8 inches in northern areas.
• Vilas County is forecast to see 1 to 3 inches of snow.

The NWS warns of slippery roads and reduced visibility due to blowing snow.

Minnesota

The Iron Range area of Minnesota is under advisories until 6 p.m. Monday.

• Snow totals of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized bands potentially reaching up to 8 inches.

Residents are urged to drive cautiously as road conditions may deteriorate rapidly.

Safety Precautions

The NWS advises residents in all affected areas to avoid unnecessary travel and prepare emergency kits with food, water, and flashlights in their vehicles. Hazardous road conditions, drifting snow, and low visibility are likely to persist throughout the storm.

Travelers are encouraged to monitor local updates, including weather alerts and road conditions, through official channels like 511 services.