The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter weather warnings for Tuesday, Dec. 9, for a range of states, with areas across the U.S. getting anywhere from 1-3 inches of snow to up to 24 inches.
The winter storm warnings and advisories say that 14 states across the country are in line to get several inches of snow from Tuesday, Dec. 9, early morning into Wednesday, Dec. 10, resulting in hazardous travel.
According to research from the National Weather Service, the accumulating snow results from two different winter storm systems. The heaviest snow stretches from the Northern Plains states, Upper Great Lakes, Midwest, mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Even though two different story systems are causing the heavy snow, areas under both systems are experiencing similar conditions.
14 States With Winter Weather Warnings or Advisories
The NWS has issued winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories for North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Montana, Wyoming, Vermont, New Hampshire, Michigan, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and Maine.
An interactive map from the NWS shows that Montana and Wyoming are expected to get an upwards of 24 inches of snow. New York is slated to get up to 12 inches; Wisconsin and North Dakota an upwards of seven inches; Minnesota, Michigan and Pennsylvania up to six inches; and West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland up to three inches.
Meteorologists have also warned of a polar vortex making its way across the U.S. this week bringing record-breaking cold temperatures. So, snow on top of those cold temperatures will make roads even more hazardous.
“The polar vortex is defined as the dominant meteorological system in the winter stratosphere and mesosphere, characterized by a circumpolar west-to-east jet stream that balances extremely cold air over the winter pole with warmer midlatitude air,” Science Direct notes.
While the snow is expected to lighten up towards the end of the week, that’s not true for the cold. Areas of the Northeast and mid-Atlantic are expected to see their coldest temperatures this weekend, according to research from the NWS.
Winter Weather Terms
A winter weather warning, according to the NWS, “indicates that heavy snow of at least six 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. “
In contrast, a blizzard warning means “blizzard conditions (low visibility of less than 1/4 mile due to falling and/or blowing snow, and winds at least 35 mph) are expected for at least three hours.”
A winter weather advisory is issued for one or more of the following, according to the NWS: “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.”
