National Weather Service (NWS) storm warnings are in force across five states on Saturday, with several Southern and Midwestern states, along with Alaska, urged to brace for powerful winds and heavy snow. There is also a tornado threat for some areas.
Warnings from the federal service are in force for parts of Texas, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Alaska. Lower-tier NWS winter weather advisory notices are also in place for areas in Arizona, Nebraska, Kansas, Nevada, Montana and Maine.
Western states have already faced several bouts of snowfall so far this winter, having been subjected to a "prolific series" of atmospheric river storms from the Pacific. In 2023, California was battered by a series of deadly storms that brought severe flooding. Thousands of homes were left without power, and many people were evacuated.
A storm system moving in from the Gulf of Mexico is due to hit the Mississippi valley and Texas on Saturday, with Texas Governor Greg Abbott urging Texans to "remain alert and heed guidance from first responders" when it arrives.
In Colorado, storm warnings cover northeast Weld County, central and south Weld County, the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Upper Huerfano River Basin and the Wet Mountains. Heavy snowfall is expected for all these areas with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains forecast to receive between 8 and 16 inches, while the Wet Mountains are expected to get from 6 to 14 inches.
El Paso in Texas and Santa Teresa in New Mexico are warned to expect wind gusts of up to 40 miles per hour and snow accumulations of between 5 and 9 inches, with the NWS advising motorists to "plan on slippery road conditions and possible temporary road closures." Residents of Amarillo are told to expect 5 to 7 inches of snow and wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour.
Posting on X, formerly Twitter, Abbott said: "As winter weather and severe storms approach Texas this weekend, I urge Texans to remain alert and heed guidance from first responders.
"Emergency response resources are ready to assist communities across our state. Stay safe, Texas."
In an accompanying statement, Abbott added: "Texans are urged to remain weather-aware and heed the guidance of their local officials and first responders to keep themselves and their loved ones safe."
Warnings are also in place for the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Glorieta Mesa, Central Highlands, Johnson and Bartlett Mesas, Far Northeast Highlands, Northeast Highlands, Union County, and Harding County in New Mexico where "travel could be very difficult to impossible" with 5 to 9 inches of snow expected, which could get up to 14 inches above 7,500ft.
Banner County, Kimball County and east Laramie County in Wyoming are forecast to receive "moderate to heavy snow" leading to accumulations of 4 to 8 inches, with the heaviest snowfall expected from early Saturday morning to the afternoon.
In Alaska winter storm warnings remain in effect until 9 a.m. on Saturday for Haines Borough and Klukwan, including the city of Haines, with wind gusts of 35 miles per hour and 3 to 5 inches of snow anticipated.
Separately, the NWS is advising residents of California to expect another "hazardous" storm towards the end of next week. Meteorologists are forecasting a 60 percent or higher chance of "hazardous, heavy precipitation across California, with heavy snow in the higher elevations" from February 17 to 19.
The Golden State was hit by two back-to-back atmospheric rivers, causing widespread flooding.
On Thursday, a powerful tornado tore across southeastern Wisconsin to the west of Edgerton, the first time a twister has touched down in the state in February.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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James Bickerton is a Newsweek U.S. News reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is covering U.S. politics and world ... Read more
