San Francisco, CA – A powerful winter storm is sweeping across the western and central U.S., bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous travel conditions through the weekend.
According to the National Weather Service, the Sierra Nevada and northern California mountains will experience snow accumulations of 1 to 3 feet, with wind gusts reaching 70 mph. These conditions will make travel nearly impossible through mountain passes, with scattered power outages and localized flash flooding possible.
Further east, the Intermountain West, including areas of Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, will see significant snowfall down to elevations of 4,000 feet. Gusty winds will create blowing and drifting snow, reducing visibility and making roads treacherous.
As the system progresses, the Northern Great Plains—including parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota—will face blizzard conditions by the weekend. Forecasters warn of widespread whiteout conditions with winds exceeding 60 mph, creating hazardous travel across the region.
Additionally, the central U.S. is bracing for high winds, with gusts up to 90 mph possible on the central and southern Plains. These winds pose a risk for high-profile vehicles and could lead to power outages.
Residents are urged to monitor weather updates, avoid unnecessary travel, and prepare for potential disruptions as the storm intensifies through Sunday.
