<a href="https://247newslive.com/tag/national-weather-service/”>National Weather Service issued winter weather advisory for many regions in the United States. These include parts of California and Nevada as well as Michigan, Maine, New York, and Maine. These advisories emphasize the possibility of hazardous winter weather conditions which could affect travel and overall security.
The importance of these winter weather advisories
NWS estimates that higher elevations may see up to 14″ of snow this weekend. Snow accumulations will be more normal, ranging from 4 to 10 inches. Travel can be affected by adverse weather, making travel in some areas “very hard to impossible”. Drivers should drive slowly and with great caution. These weather systems are associated with freezing temperatures that can be dangerous to health, especially for those who are most vulnerable such as older adults and children. Snow accumulations can also create hazardous driving conditions and increase the likelihood of an accident.
Learn More About Affected Areas
These winter weather advisory cover several areas:
- Central California east of the Nevada state border, continuing south.
- Parts of the northeastern Nevada.
- Northwestern Michigan
- Northern Maine
- New York has many regions.
The advisory will be in place for eastern California’s areas surrounding Chester, Quincy and Blue Canyon, but only for those with elevations over 4,500 feet. The snow accumulation is expected to range between 1 and 5 inches between elevations of 4,500 and 6,00 feet and 4 and 10 inches above that. NWS warns motorists to expect “slippery conditions”, and that the “hazardous conditions could affect Sunday morning until Monday morning commutes”.
San Bernardino, Riverside and mountainous counties in California are all under a weather advisory through 4pm on Monday. Above 5,500 feet in these areas, three to five inches can be expected of snow. There may also be damaging winds gusting up to 65 miles an hour.
The advisories near Yosemite National Park are in force from Saturday 10pm PST to Monday 10pm PST. In this area, wind gusts of up to 50 mph will be experienced. Snow accumulations could reach up to 14″ at higher elevations. NWS warns of road hazards and that travel could become difficult or impossible.
From Sunday night at 10 pm to Monday afternoon, 4 pm PST is the advisory for Greater Lake Tahoe and Mono County. Up to eight-inch snowfall is expected in high areas. Travel could be “very challenging”. The wind is predicted to gust up to 45 mph, which may cause branches to break off trees.
Oswego county, Oneida county, Jefferson County and Lewis county, which includes the cities Oswego Watertown Lowville in New York, is under a warning until 4 pm. ET is expected on Saturday. Wind gusts of up to 45 miles an hour are likely to accompany snow accumulations between two and five inches. NWS notes that, “the largest accumulations are expected to be in higher ground of the Tug hill Plateau and Western Foothills of Adirondacks,” with reduced visibility and snow covered roads.
NWS advisory for Hamilton County and the northern Herkimer county in New York is also in effect until 4:00 p.m. ET Sunday with snow accumulations up to 2 inches.
Northern Maine (specifically parts of Aroostook County, Somerset County, and Piscataquis county) is on advisory status until 9 PM. Sat. evening ET. The Saint John Valley is expected to have the highest accumulation of snow, between 2 and 5 inches.
Winter weather advisories for several counties in Michigan are currently active, including Antrim and Kalkaska. The advisories will expire on Saturday. These counties are expecting between 1 and 3 inches of snow.
Expert opinions and statements
NWS warns you: Winter Weather Advisory: Snow means there will be periods of significant snowfall that may cause travel issues. Use caution when driving on roads covered in snow and with limited visibility.
Buffalo’s NWS Office, New York State, reported on X. The temperatures will plummet today and rain showers in the morning could turn to snow. Today & Tonight, snow showers are possible in the southeast near Lakes Erie and Ontario. “Wind chills of low single-digits are expected today due to gusty 30-40 mph winds.”
Marquette is home to the NWS Marquette office. The intensity and extent of the lake-effect snow showers are expected to decrease today. Today, 1-3″ of snow will fall in the NW snow belts to the east of Marquette. The high will be between 11 and 21.”
Look Ahead
The NWS forecasts indicate that there could be significant traffic disruptions in the higher altitudes this weekend if the NWS predictions are correct. It is important that the public stays informed and monitors NWS forecasts as well as local weather. During these weather conditions, it is important to be prepared and travel with caution.