Winter weather warnings across the US, where snow could be seen this weekend
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Winter weather warnings across the US, where snow could be seen this weekend

Heavy snow and ice could wreak havoc across the western United States over the weekend as winter weather advisories and warnings have been issued by National Weather Service.

It’s already been a cold week on the West Coast with two storm systems coming in from the Pacific. They have brought snow, freezing rain and bitter temperatures to the region with forecasters expecting these conditions to continue for the next two days.

Seven states all have different winter weather-related warnings and advisories over the weekend: Alaska, California, Montana, Maine, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. Some locations are expected to see anywhere between 1 and 3 inches of snow while others are expected to see larger amounts ranging from 8 to 13 inches.

Here’s where those warnings are this weekend.

Alaska

National Weather Service office in Juneau issued a winter storm warning for the Skagway and White Pass areas of the state. Heavy snow with accumulations of up to 9 inches is expected to fall throughout the day on Friday. Wind gusts of up to 35 miles per hour are forecast.

“If you must travel, carry an extra flashlight, food and water with you in case of an emergency,” the weather service said in its warning.

California

Parts of Northern California are under a winter weather advisory, with between 4 and 10 inches of snow expected. The areas under these warnings are Quincy, Chester and Blue Canyon, California.

National Weather Service in Sacramento said slippery travel conditions and snow-covered roads, among other effects, can be expected in the region.

Four inches of snow is also expected in the Yosemite Valley region of central California on Friday. The warning from the National Weather Service office in Hanford, California, too said that travel can be very difficult in the area.

The NWS office in San Diego as well said up to 3 inches of snow is expected in the Riverside County region from Friday night into Saturday morning.

Montana

Several centimeters of snow are expected in the southeastern parts of the state. Up to 8 inches of snow is expected along the Highway 12 area from Garrison to Elliston. The advisory also extends to the Georgetown Lake, MacDonald Pass and Homestake Pass areas of the state.

The advisory from the National Weather Service Office in Great Falls, Montana extends to Saturday morning.

The Yellowstone National Park sign in West Yellowstone, Montana, is lined with fresh snow on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.The Yellowstone National Park sign in West Yellowstone, Montana, is lined with fresh snow on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.

The Yellowstone National Park sign in West Yellowstone, Montana, is lined with fresh snow on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.

Maine

As we move to the East Coast, freezing rain is forecast across parts of the state. NWS office in Gray, Maine said that this type of rain could be seen near the US border with Canada on Saturday morning.

Nevada

Back west, Reno is subject to a winter weather advisory expected to last until Friday afternoon. Forecasters expect rain and snow in the region.

The Greater Lake Tahoe area is also expected to see up to 3 inches of snow, with higher accumulations in higher elevation locations.

Utah

Six to 12 inches are expected in the Wasatch Mountains between Friday and Saturday. Even forecasters are waiting winter driving conditions to be present in the Sardine Canyon, Parleys Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, and Little Cottonwood Canyon regions.

“Slow down and use caution when traveling,” the National Weather Service Office in Salt Lake City said.

Uinta Mountains, also in Utah expect to see between 4 and 8 inches between Friday and Saturday.

Wyoming

Wyoming expects to see 4 to 6 inches in the Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains between Friday and Saturday. An advisory from the National Weather Service office in Riverton, Wyoming said driving conditions could worsen.

A herd of elk graze in a snow-covered field in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.A herd of elk graze in a snow-covered field in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.

A herd of elk graze in a snow-covered field in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024.

“Mountain passes will be slippery with wintry driving conditions,” said the service. “Plan to allow extra time if traveling over mountain passes.”

US watches and warnings

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Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him at X @fern_cerv_.

This article was originally published on USA TODAY: Winter weather warnings appear across the west, northeast part of the weekend