Winter Weather Warning for 4 States Amid Heavy Snow, Whiteout Conditions

Heavy snow is expected to fall across four states today as the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a slurry of warnings. Snow warnings are currently in place for Alaska, Idaho, Utah and Wyoming, while other western and northern-tier states are forecast to experience some bitter temperatures today and into the weekend. According to a map from the NWS, the entirety of North Dakota, as well as parts of Montana, Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon, and the previously mentioned states are all in part under a winter weather advisory. Alaska currently has three snow warnings in place along the Bering Strait coast, St. Lawrence Island and Sarichef Island. Several inches of snow are expected to fall across the area, with as many as eight inches on St. Lawrence Island. Residents and travelers are warned travel may be "impossible" as snow drifts and whiteout conditions are likely throughout Friday. The snow front is expected to travel south on Saturday, though icy conditions are likely to remain. One winter storm warning is currently in place in the Bear River Range in Idaho until 9 p.m. on Friday. Widespread blowing snow is likely to significantly reduce visibility and create hazardous driving conditions, according to NWS, which advises travelers in the area to "keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency."

In Utah, a service warns against traveling along mountainous interstate routes in the Wasatch Mountains area. The warning reads: "Winter driving conditions are expected on all mountain routes including the Cottonwood Canyons, Logan Summit and Parleys Summit on Interstate 80. Blowing and drifting snow may reduce visibilities to near 0 at times on US-89 on Logan Summit." The warning is currently in place and will expire at 11 p.m. local time on Friday evening.

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Snow is expected to fall near the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming with a warning in place until 5 p.m. this evening. The NWS has warned travel "could be difficult over Teton and Togwotee Passes" north of the reservation. It also warns that "blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The morning and evening commute could be slower than normal." Subfreezing temperatures are also expected in central California over the next few days, with the NWS warning that "frost and freeze conditions could kill crops" and that water pipes are likely to freeze and burst. While advisories are in place in the western and northern states, it seems almost the entire country will be battered by unpleasant weather this weekend. Much of the East Coast and southern portion of the U.S. will be victim to a sprawling storm expected to bring numerous weather hazards, including thunderstorms, heavy rain and high winds. Newsweek has contacted the National Weather Service for comment via email.