On Wednesday, Jan. 14, and Thursday, Jan. 15, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a range of winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories across the U.S., and that means severe weather.
The NWS warns that some areas of the U.S. will be faced with up to 20 inches of snow, an upwards of 65 mph winds and overall dangerous weather into Friday, Jan. 16, and through the weekend.
The agency also warns that temperatures will plunge going into the weekend, stating, “A cooldown is expected to begin tomorrow for much of the eastern half of the U.S., and another surge of cold air will move through the northern Mid-West beginning on Saturday, and into the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast to start the next work week.”
States Impacted by Winter Weather Warnings
The tally of states being impacted by the winter weather warnings and advisories is long, including Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Alaska, Indiana, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Kentucky and Ohio.
“A cold front pushes through the area late this afternoon, causing temps to drop and a changeover from rain to snow,” the NWS in Pittsburgh stated. “This could lead to slick road conditions this evening and tonight. Highest snowfall accumulations will be in the ridges and north of I-80.”
In Alaska in particular, expect up to 20 inches of snow in the Klondike Highway are above 2,500 feet and winds up to 65 mph, according to research from the NWS. Travel is discouraged.
Areas of northern Indiana are looking at an additional six to eight inches of snow and winds gusts up to 40 mph with whiteout conditions. In Michigan, Allegan, Van Buren, Mason, Muskegon and Oceana Counties are looking at six to eight inches of snow and 45 mph winds.
Weather Will Impact Road Conditions
For Michigan, the NWS stated that the snow and winds may create difficult travel conditions, noting, “Widespread accumulating snow will create dangerous travel conditions. Travel will be difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.”
For North Carolina, areas above 3,500 feet in Haywood and Swain Counties are looking at an upwards of 12 inches of snow and 45 mph winds from Wednesday afternoon until Thursday, making travel “impossible.”
Kentucky is looking at heavy snowfall in Harlan, Letcher, and Pike Counties, and for Tennessee, it’s the Smoky Mountains in Blount, Cocke, and Sevier Counties.
In Pennsylvania, Warren County, Bradford and Susquehanna counties are looking at several inches of snow. For West Virginia, Grant and Pendleton counties are bracing for snow and up to 45 mph winds. Finally, areas of Maryland, New York and Ohio are all looking at several inches of snow going into the weekend.
In New York, the NWS cautioned, “Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact this evening commute.”
For Ohio, the NWS stated, “During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away. Visibilities can also vary greatly. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions.”
“A Lake Effect Snow Warning is now in effect for inland Erie County, PA from 11AM today through 1AM Friday,” the Ohio NWS announced on Wednesday, Jan. 14. “A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect for the snowbelt in Ohio and for Crawford County PA late this morning through Thursday.”
