Winter Weather Warnings In 17 States As 13 Inches Of Heavy Snow To Hit

Winter weather-related warnings were in place for at least 17 states across the U.S. early on Friday, the National Weather Service (NWS) forecasting 13 inches of snow to hit some parts of the country.

Why It Matters

Freezing temperatures can be hazardous to health, especially for more vulnerable groups like infants and older adults. Winter storms may cause power outages and snow can obstruct travel, leading to dangerous driving conditions.

California snow — Facade of Tremigo restaurant with logo visible amid freshly fallen snow, Palisades Tahoe, Olympic Valley, California, February 14, 2025.

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What To Know

As of Friday morning, winter storm warnings, meaning “a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent,” were in place across parts of California, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Maine.

Meanwhile, winter weather advisories were issued for parts of Iowa, Alaska, and Illinois.

Winter weather advisories are issued “for any amount of freezing rain, or when two to four inches of snow (alone or in combination with sleet and freezing rain), is expected to cause a significant inconvenience, but not serious enough to warrant a warning.”

Additionally, a winter storm watch had been issued for northern parts of New Mexico, signaling the potential for hazardous winter weather in the area.

The NWS forecast that a storm system would continue to deliver heavy snowfall, and gusty to high winds from the Sierras to the central and southern Plains through Friday.

While the precise level of snowfall varied from state to state, the weather service said that up to 13 inches of heavy snow was possible for South Dakota’s Southern Campbell and Weston County Plains.

“Travel could be very difficult,” it warned.

What People Are Saying

NWS Riverton, Wyoming said on X, Thursday: “Snow continues to fall across much of the state this evening and into the early morning hours Friday. Periods of intense snowfall are possible in parts of central and southern WY, leading to possibly hazardous travel at times.”

NWS Des Moines, Iowa said on X, Friday: “A mixture of snow and rain continues to fall over north central and east central IA early this morning. Driving conditions have deteriorated some with snow/slush collecting on roadways.”

NWS Amarillo, Texas said on X, Thursday: “The best chances of seeing at least 2″ of snow will be across the western Panhandles. Most of the snow is expected to fall from late Friday night through Saturday.”