The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued warnings for Alaska, Wyoming, and Washington as up to 16 inches of snow and winds reaching 40 mph are expected to impact these regions from Wednesday night through Friday morning.
Residents of the far North, Northwest, and Mountain West are urged to prepare for hazardous conditions that could lead to travel disruptions, limited visibility, and dangerous driving situations, particularly in elevated areas and along major highways.
Thompson Pass may receive around 9 inches of snow from Wednesday night to Thursday evening. The combination of strong 40 mph winds, peaking early Thursday afternoon, and blowing snow could reduce visibility to less than half a mile, making commutes especially risky.
“Surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury,” warned the NWS for Alaska.
The Teton and Gros Ventre Mountains are forecasted to see between 4 and 8 inches of snowfall, with up to 12 inches in the highest parts of the Tetons. Conditions are expected to deteriorate overnight Wednesday through Thursday afternoon.
Western and mountainous parts of the state are also forecast to be affected by the storm system, bringing substantial snowfall and strong winds that may lead to reduced visibility and dangerous travel conditions.
Heavy snow and powerful winds are expected to create dangerous travel and outdoor conditions across Alaska, Wyoming, and Washington, prompting safety alerts through Friday.