A colossal winter storm is currently making its way across the United States, threatening to blanket the West with up to two feet of snow, creating perilous travel conditions for millions.
Authorities have issued storm warnings across numerous states, including California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Utah, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, and Alaska. Residents are being advised to avoid road travel due to the risk of whiteout conditions.
In Montana, South Dakota, and Minnesota, blizzard alerts are in effect. These states could experience wind gusts reaching 60 mph, which, combined with heavy snowfall, renders travel unsafe for all except emergency personnel.
The Rockies and Southwest regions are bracing for snowfall exceeding a foot throughout the week, with accumulations expected to continue through Friday.
Eastern California is anticipated to bear the brunt of the storm, as the Sierra Nevada Mountains may receive more than five feet of snow.
Other areas, including parts of Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah, could see snowfall totals surpassing ten inches. However, higher elevations in these states might experience up to two to three feet of snow.
AccuWeather meteorologist Bernie Rayno said: ‘When this pattern finally wraps up late next week, parts of the Sierra Nevada will end up with 12 to 16 feet of snow.’
National Weather Service (NWS) officials have advised that anyone who must travel during this major storm should keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in their car in case of an emergency, an accident or if their vehicle becomes stranded.
Whiteout conditions are expected in at least 12 states and the National Weather Service has urged Americans to avoid traveling on Wednesday (file image)
Several feet of snow is projected to strike the western US, with the biggest totals expected to fall in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Rockies and the Northern Plains this week
Winter weather advisories have also been issued in Idaho, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Wyoming and Washington state.
Overall, up to 100 million Americans could be affected by this widespread winter event, with conditions ranging from ice and rain in the Midwest to extremely powerful winds combined with snow that could knock down trees and power lines in the Northern Plains.
Meteorologists expect most of the snow to fall on Wednesday, but conditions are expected to remain dangerous throughout the week.
AccuWeather meteorologist Alyssa Glenny added: ‘Along with the obvious problems from heavy rates of snow will be the potential for avalanches through the passes and in the high country.’
At least nine skiers went missing after an avalanche trapped a large group near Lake Tahoe on Tuesday as this week’s winter storm continued to rage out west.
On Wednesday, avalanche warnings were issued in California, Utah, and Colorado due to rapidly accumulating snow, weak snowpack layers and near-hurricane-force winds that cause drifting.
An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow down a hill or mountainside caused by an unstable mass of snow breaking away from the slope. Snow, rock, ice, soil, and other materials slide down during an avalanche and can reach speeds of up to 100mph.
In 90 percent of avalanche incidents, the snow slides are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim’s party, according to NWS.
The National Weather Service has issued blizzard warnings (orange), winter storm warnings (pink), and winter weather advisories (purple) in 17 states on Wednesday
Outside of California, which is predicted to see the worst of the snowfall, parts of Nevada could see more than three feet of snow at higher elevations near the Sierra Nevada.
Northern Arizona is projected to receive up to ten inches of snow, but it will also be blown around by wind gusts of up to 65mph.
An additional three to nine inches may fall on Thursday and Friday.
Colorado is projected to get between four inches and one foot. Whiteout conditions are likely, as winds could reach 70mph, just under the strength of a Category 1 hurricane.
North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan may see between three and 15 inches of snow through Thursday afternoon, with severe wind gusts between 35 and 55mph making travel on local roads dangerous.
Road conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly and the National Weather Service has urged drivers to keep flashlights, food, and water in cars in case of emergency (Stock Image)
NWS has advised anyone in the blizzard’s path to stay indoors and travel only if absolutely necessary.
If you have to travel outside, they’ve urged Americans to dress in layers, cover up all skin, and watch for signs of hypothermia and frostbite, such as shivering, confusion, or numb skin.
For drivers, they recommend driving as slowly as possible while it’s snowing and letting someone else know your route before going out on the road.
Since blizzard conditions can trap motorists who cannot see what is ahead of them, it is important to stay in the vehicle if stranded and to run the engine periodically for heat while conserving fuel.
