Twelve states had winter weather warnings in place from the National Weather Service (NWS) on Sunday, with up to 36 inches of snowfall forecast for some parts of the country.

Why It Matters

Freezing temperatures may pose health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants and older adults.

Snow can disrupt travel and create dangerous driving conditions, while winter storms may also cause power outages.

What To Know

At the time of writing, the NWS had parts of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakotas under winter weather advisories.

The service issues a winter weather advisory “for any amount of freezing rain, or when 2 to 4 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.”

Winter storm warnings, meaning “a significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent,” such as significant snow and ice, were in place in parts of Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California.

Regions affected included Northern California, southern Oregon, central and southwest Idaho, central Minnesota, northeast Utah, and northern Wisconsin.

A blizzard warning was in place for a small part of northwest Alaska.

While the exact level of snowfall forecast varied from state to state, the NWS said that heavy snow with accumulations between 18 to 36 inches would be possible in Wyoming for the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains and Salt River and Wyoming Ranges.

The service warned that travel “could be very difficult” and that strong winds would create “widespread blowing and drifting snow.”

Many other areas under winter storm warnings were forecast for at least several inches of snow, with the service advising that travel could be affected, and in some cases advising it should be postponed until conditions improved.

What People Are Saying

NWS Great Falls said on X, formerly Twitter: “An Arctic cold front is continuing southward through central Montana valleys this morning. The coldest temperatures and wind chill will be Monday through Wednesday morning, especially across the plains where a cold-weather advisory is in effect.”

NWS Green Bay, Wisconsin, said on X: “Snow returns tonight. A narrow band of heavy snow amounts of 3-5 inches+ is likely to setup across northern WI, but exact placement is difficult to pinpoint.”

NWS Seattle said on X yesterday: “Rain and snow showers this afternoon will transition to primarily snow showers Sunday into Monday. Some localized heavier accumulations remain possible. Cooler air will also begin to settle into the region tonight, with more widespread lows in the 20s.”

What Happens Next

Forecasts are sometimes subject to change. Organizations such as the NWS issue regular updates.

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