Winter Storm Warnings for 3 States As Blowing Snow To Strike

Residents in parts of Alaska, Montana, and Colorado, have been warned to brace for a fierce storm set to slash visibility as high winds whip up heavy snowfall that could make travel “impossible.”

A “winter weather advisory” was issued for much of Alaska on Monday, but National Weather Service (NWS) experts have now changed their alerts to the more serious “winter storm warning” for some parts.

That means that “severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. This will “make travel very difficult or impossible,” forecasters warned. Meanwhile, some areas in Colorado are set to see snow accumulations of up to 18 inches in some areas, and mountainous areas of Montana have been hit with an “avalanche danger” notice.

The news comes just weeks after Alaska saw a fierce snowstorm that cut visibility to just half a mile in some areas, when up to six inches of snow fell and winds hit up to 55 miles per hour across the north. The latest winter storm warning was issued by NWS Fairbanks, and the warning will remain in effect until midnight on Tuesday. Forecasters warned of snow accumulations of up to 10 inches, with winds gusting as high as 50 miles per hour. Visibility will be just “one quarter mile or less at times,” the agency said.

The warning covers the Southern Seward Peninsula Coast, the Interior Seward Peninsula, and Noatak Valley.

A similar warning was in place for Diomede and Bering Strait Coast, although that is set to expire at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday. Snow accumulation was likely to be between 3 to 5 inches there, according to the predictions.

While a further warning was put in place until noon for the Western Arctic Coast, including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne. “The heaviest snow, strongest winds and lowest visibility are expected near Point Hope,” according to the NWS.

The NWS Fairbanks office has been updating the alerts on social media site X (formerly Twitter).

The warning in place for Colorado will remain in effect until 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday for the Rocky Mountain National Park and the Medicine Bow Range, as well as the Mountains of Summit County, the Mosquito Range, and the Indian Peaks.

The agency warned residents and drivers: “Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 8 and 18 inches, heaviest over the northern Front Range mountains. Winds gusting as high as 60 mph, strongest across the Front Range mountains.” The forecasters added that drivers will need to take extra care, saying: “Roads will likely become slick and hazardous, with reduced visibility in blowing snow at times.”

The warning for Montana covers the Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains, so those living near the mountain range across the state line in Wyoming will also need to take note. The warning will remain in place from 6:00 p.m. Tuesday until 6:00 p.m. Thursday. The warning stated: “Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 10 and 20 inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph creating significant blowing snow.”

And forecasters warned of the potential dangers, writing: “Heavy wet snow and gusty winds may cause tree and power line damage resulting in power outages. Recreation in the high country will be impacted by heavy accumulating snow and near whiteout conditions at times. Travel could be very difficult to impossible on Highway 14 over the Bighorn mountains.

“Expect avalanche danger to increase. If you are heading to the high country be prepared for dangerous winter conditions. Be sure to let someone know your plans in case you become stranded.”

Residents across the affected states should monitor their local news channels for the most up-to-date weather alerts.