Winter Weather Warnings in 9 States as 22 Inches of Snow to Hit

The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings for parts of California and Alaska, where up to 22 inches of snow could be recorded in some areas.

Lower winter weather advisory notes are also in place for seven other states as a wave of inclement weather sweeps across central and eastern parts of the country.

Why It Matters

According to the NWS, the wintry conditions will make travel difficult and potentially dangerous for parts of the U.S. throughout the weekend.

California is still struggling with a wave of devastating wildfires, which continue to burn around the greater Los Angeles area. As of 1 a.m. local time on Saturday, there were six active fires around the city, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

What To Know

An NWS winter storm warning is in place for the San Bernardino Mountains and Riverside Mountains in California—including the settlements of Lake Arrowhead, Wrightwood and Big Bear City—between 4 p.m. on Saturday and 4 p.m. on Monday.

The agency forecasts snow accumulations of 12 to 18 inches during this time for areas above 6,000 feet, while areas over 4,000 feet should expect 3 to 6 inches. On Saturday, wind gusts could reach 50 miles per hour in speed, with travel becoming “very difficult to impossible.”

The NWS urges people in this region to “delay all travel if possible,” adding, “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”

In Alaska, a winter storm warning has been called for the eastern Aleutians, including Unalaska and Nikolski, until 3 p.m. local time on Sunday—with “total snow accumulations of 12 to 22 inches” and visibility “reduced to a half mile or less at time.” Travel is expected to be hazardous with limited visibility.

Warnings for Alaska are also in place for the middle and lower Yukon Valley, Innoko Valley, Noatak Valley, Western Arctic Coast, Koyukuk Valley, central interior and White Mountains. Some of these warnings extend until Monday.

NWS winter weather advisory notices are in place for parts of North Dakota, New York, Michigan, Montana, Colorado, Utah and Nevada, along with some other areas in California and Alaska. These areas could also see substantial snowfall, causing limited visibility and making travel hazardous.

The NWS urges people in these areas to “slow down and use caution while traveling,” adding, “The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 511.”

What People Are Saying

The NWS wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday: “A storm will pass through the southwestern U.S. this weekend with widespread rain and mountain snow. Rainfall will be mostly beneficial but poses a risk for dangerous debris flows over recent burn scars. A significant winter storm will impact Alaska through the weekend with heavy snow across western Alaska and heavy rainfall across Southcentral with strong winds and marine/coastal impacts.”

Storm chaser Colin McCarthy wrote on X: “Southern California’s first significant storm in over 9 months arrives this weekend, bringing widespread rainfall amounts of 0.75–2 inches and 1–2 feet of heavy snow above 6,000 feet. This storm will significantly reduce wildfire risk. However, heavy rain on Sunday and Monday could trigger flash flooding and debris flows on the Palisades, Eaton, Bridge, and Hughes burn scars. From fire to potential flooding.”

What Happens Next

The NWS forecasts heavy rain in eastern Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and southeastern parts of Oklahoma on Wednesday and Thursday of next week.

Further cold weather is expected along the eastern U.S. stretching from Washington to Arizona, with chilly temperatures also forecast in the northeast.