Twenty Million Under Winter Alerts: Snowstorms, Dangerous Cold and Pacific Flooding Shape a High-Impact Weather Weekend

A Rapidly Evolving Winter Pattern Across the Country

A fast-moving winter storm stretched from the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest on Saturday, placing nearly twenty million people under weather alerts and transforming landscapes from Montana to Illinois, United States. Snow swept across wide swaths of the northern Plains and Rockies through the morning, coating towns in South Dakota and drifting across the streets of Sioux Falls, SD. Skies darkened further east as the storm shifted into Iowa and Minnesota by afternoon.

Fresh snow began to blanket Des Moines, IA, and wintry bands spread toward Aspen, CO, and Jackson, WY, before pushing eastward again.

By nightfall, the system expanded its reach. A burst of snow and wintry mix moved into Illinois, MO and Wisconsin. Streets in Chicago, IL, turned slick as the storm’s core arrived, and people walking downtown pulled scarves higher against the cold.

“This is early for us to have this much snow and these temperatures," Chicago resident Catherine Karwowski said. “We are bracing ourselves for a rough one this year."

Katie Jones, who recently moved to Illinois from Texas, stepped into her first true winter. “Just got the big coat. Arrived today," she said.
Another visitor, Brielle Trostley from Florida, added, “Seeing everything covered in white is new to me. I have never seen snow before."

Snow Expands on Sunday Before Shifting East

The wintry weather will continue to spread on Sunday. Snow is expected to reach parts of Michigan, IN and Ohio while lingering across Illinois through the morning. By Sunday night, the system will move into the interior Northeast, delivering light accumulations from western New York to portions of Pennsylvania.

Forecasters expect most Northeast locations to pick up only a dusting or up to one inch, while western New York may receive 2 to 4 inches.

In the Midwest, totals of 2 to 5 inches will fall across a broad corridor from the Dakotas through the Lake Michigan region. Iowa faces a higher band of snowfall, with 6 to 8 inches projected. Newly powdered scenes stretched across Iowa City, IA; Dakota City, IA; and Sioux City, IA, early Saturday.

Heavy Snow and Mountain Hazards in the Rockies

The strongest snowfall targets remain in mountainous regions. Parts of Wyoming, UT, Montana and Colorado could accumulate 5 to 12 inches, with isolated totals reaching 20 inches. Wind gusts approaching 60 mph will drastically reduce visibility and make mountain travel difficult through the weekend.

Snowfall reports by midday Saturday included:

• 10 inches in Mount Crested Butte, CO
• 5.4 inches in Orogrande, ID
• 3.4 inches in West Valley, MT

Utah’s Department of Transportation released video showing north-central roadways already covered in dense snow on Friday evening.

Dangerous Cold Settles Over the Plains and Upper Midwest

The storm’s cold core spreads a deep chill behind it. High temperatures on Saturday remained 5 to 20 degrees below average across the Rockies, Plains, Northeast and parts of the Southeast. Northern Plains residents experienced single-digit highs, while cities across the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast recorded temperatures ranging from the 20s to the 50s.

Overnight lows will fall below zero in the northern Plains and dip into the teens and 20s across the Midwest, Rockies, Appalachians and Northeast. Although no record lows are forecast, the cold will intensify on Sunday as the coldest air concentrates over Minnesota, the Dakotas and Iowa.

A Wet and Turbulent Week Ahead for the Pacific Northwest

While winter weather grips the center of the country, the Pacific Northwest prepares for a different threat. A series of Pacific storms, fueled by a strengthening atmospheric river, will push into Washington and Oregon beginning Sunday night.

Flood alerts are set to take effect for the western halves of both states, including Seattle, WA, and the Oregon cities of Portland and Eugene. Heavy rainfall will arrive in multiple rounds over the next week, delivering 2 to 6 inches across much of the region. Some locations may reach 10 inches.

Snow levels will rise above 6,000 to 7,500 feet, limiting snowfall to high elevations while increasing runoff hazards. Forecasters warn of prolonged risks, including landslides, burn-scar flash flooding and coastal flooding.

Additional Alerts Across the West and Midwest

More than eighteen million people remain under winter weather advisories and storm warnings across the West and Midwest. Heavy snow continues to develop across the Northern Rockies, where peaks may exceed a foot of accumulation.

The National Weather Service reports moderate to heavy snow over parts of the Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley Saturday night. Bitter cold is expected to follow the snow, with subzero lows likely in North Dakota, SD and Minnesota.

In Chicago, IL, up to 2 to 5 inches of snow are forecast, with slippery roads and sidewalks during the morning hours. Colorado remains under winter storm warnings, with mountain zones preparing for particularly hazardous conditions.

The Pacific storm train is expected to continue for 5 to 10 days, bringing repeated flooding risks as saturated soil rapidly converts rainfall into runoff.

Voices from the Storm

Catherine Karwowski, Chicago, IL: “This is early for us to have this much snow and these temperatures, so we are kind of bracing ourselves for a rough one this year."

Katie Jones, IL: “Just got the big coat. Arrived today."

Brielle Trostley, Chicago visitor from Florida: “Everything covered in white is new for me. I have never seen snow before."