weather winter storm warning—The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for heavy snow up to 5 feet and winds reaching 100 mph across multiple states, urging residents to “delay all travel. ” The alerts cover Michigan, Washington, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Idaho and span from Thursday through Friday (ET), with some impacts lasting into Saturday or Sunday (ET). The NWS highlights the risk of whiteout conditions and isolated power outages that could make travel life-threatening.
Weather Winter Storm Warning Details
Most critical: the NWS has forecast pockets of extreme snowfall and severe winds across distinct regions. In parts of Michigan, Keweenaw and northern Houghton counties are expected to receive 8 to 12 inches of snow, with up to 17 inches possible at higher elevations in Keweenaw, and winds near 50 mph from Thursday night until Friday afternoon (ET). Alger, Delta, Luce, and northern and southern Schoolcraft counties may see up to 11 inches of snow—up to 1 foot along parts of M-28 northwards—with winds to 40 mph from late Thursday night until Friday night (ET).
Additional Michigan forecasts include up to 10 inches for Baraga, Iron, Gogebic, Ontonagon, and southern Houghton counties, with elevated areas possibly receiving a foot of snow and winds around 35 mph through Friday (ET). Marquette County has similar projections: up to 10 inches, a foot in higher terrain, and winds near 40 mph until Friday afternoon (ET). Dickinson and Menominee counties could see 5 to 8 inches and winds to 40 mph from Thursday evening into early Friday afternoon (ET).
In the Pacific Northwest and mountain zones, the Cascades and Olympics are slated for major accumulations: as much as 3 feet of snow in the Cascades of Snohomish and northern King counties, Whatcom and Skagit, Pierce and Lewis, southern King county Cascades, and the Olympics, with winds of 40 to 65 mph and blizzard conditions through Thursday into Saturday morning (ET). Lookout Pass, Holden Village and Stevens Pass may receive 1 to 3 feet with 50 to 65 mph winds from Thursday morning into Saturday (ET). The south Washington Cascades could see up to 30 inches of snow along volcanic slopes with 45 mph winds into Friday morning (ET).
Mountain impacts further inland include the upper Blackfoot area and northwest Beaverhead county, where up to 24 inches may fall on the highest peaks with winds to 85 mph until around noon Friday (ET). Along the Continental Divide on the Rocky Mountain Front, forecasts call for 1 to 3 feet of snow and winds near 100 mph from Thursday into Saturday afternoon (ET), producing whiteout conditions that the NWS warns will make “travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening, ” especially over the Marias and Rogers Passes. Foothills and adjacent plains near the Rocky Mountain Front could receive up to 15 inches of snow and winds to 95 mph from Thursday night until Saturday afternoon (ET).
Immediate Reactions
National Weather Service (NWS) officials issued blunt guidance: “delay all travel. ” The NWS also warned that widespread blowing snow could cause isolated power outages and that whiteout conditions may render some passes impassable. Local emergency planners are on alert for outreach and response as conditions unfold across the listed counties and mountain corridors.
What’s Next
Expect the NWS to maintain warnings through the listed periods and to update local forecasts for higher-elevation variations; travelers and residents should monitor local advisories and prepare for prolonged outages and hazardous travel. The unfolding weather winter storm warning will determine road closures, emergency responses, and when travel can safely resume as teams assess snow depths and wind impacts in the storm’s wake.
