A surge of winter weather is sweeping across the U.S. this week as the National Weather Service (NWS) issues winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories for 13 states, stretching from the Northern Plains into the Midwest and Northeast. The alerts arrive after weeks of early-season snow that has already closed schools nationwide.
As of Thursday morning, December 11, winter storm warnings or winter weather advisories cover a swath of the country including Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, with additional advisories for northern Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont.
These alerts reflect a combination of snow, ice and strong winds impacting different regions as the system tracks east.
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Dangerous Arctic Air Surges South, Bringing Record Cold
Alongside the snow and ice, the National Weather Service is warning of a dangerous blast of Arctic air dropping south into the Northern Plains, Upper Mississippi Valley, Midwest and eventually the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys.
Afternoon high temperatures on Friday and Saturday are expected to run 20 to 30 degrees below average, with the NWS noting that record low afternoon highs are possible across parts of the Northern Plains and Upper Mississippi Valley on Saturday and more widespread record cold likely on Sunday. This push of Arctic air will reinforce the risk of dangerous wind chills, refreezing moisture on untreated roads and extending hazardous travel conditions well beyond the initial snowfall.
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The NWS says accumulating snow is likely today into early Friday as a fast-moving area of low pressure drops from the Central Plains into the Ohio Valley. Forecasters expect:
A narrow band of 2–4 inches of snow on the northern side of the stormWidespread 3-inch totals across much of the U.S. over the next three daysHigher totals in Montana and parts of the Northeast, where lake-effect snow will add to accumulationsIn the Buffalo, New York, region, snowfall could reach up to 5 inches, with NWS Buffalo warning that snow-covered roads and reduced visibility may impact the Thursday evening commute.
Ice Storm Concerns
Farther west, freezing rain is causing significant issues:
An ice storm warning in South Dakota warns of “significant icing”Freezing rain continues to create hazardous travel in northern Montana, South Dakota and NebraskaUp to one-tenth of an inch of ice is possible in parts of the Dakotas and eastern MontanaIce accumulation also affects aviation. The NWS notes severe icing conditions—meaning ice buildup that can prevent aircraft from flying safely—are most likely across Iowa, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Delays and cancellations are possible in the hardest-hit areas.
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While snow and cold dominate the central and eastern U.S., the Pacific Northwest is facing a separate, dangerous emergency after days of heavy rain fueled by a powerful atmospheric river. Tens of thousands are under evacuation orders as major rivers surge past historic levels, including the Snohomish River, which topped its previous record crest set 35 years ago.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has declared a state of emergency, warning that “lives will be at stake in the coming days.” FEMA response teams are now on the ground following reports of more than a foot of rain in some communities.
Rain is expected to diminish later Thursday, but major to catastrophic flooding impacts will continue for several days across western Washington and northwestern Oregon.
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Rain, Snow, and a Mix: What’s Falling Where
As of Thursday morning:
Montana is seeing mostly rain with some pockets of snowNorthern Plains and Upper Midwest are dealing with freezing rainNortheast is experiencing a mix of snow and lake-effect enhancementRadar imagery and windy.com animations show the storm already in progress, with more precipitation expected as the system deepens and shifts east.
The NWS says the storm’s final chapter may play out in the mid-Atlantic, where 1–2 inches of snow are possible along the I-95 corridor between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., as the system weakens but spreads wintry precipitation farther south.
Forecast confidence will tighten as the storm evolves, but meteorologists expect shifting precipitation types and hazardous travel conditions into the weekend.
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