A powerful late-season snowstorm is bringing life-threatening cold and heavy snow to many regions in the US. The National Weather Service has issued a heavy snow warning for several states, with forecasts predicting up to 10 inches of snow in some areas.
New York and Vermont are experiencing the strongest snowfall, particularly in higher elevations, with totals reaching 6 to 10 inches. Meanwhile, in Maine and New Hampshire, heavy snow is expected to fall on top of freezing drizzle, creating a light glaze of ice underneath.
In Alaska, the National Weather Service has warned of up to 6 inches of snow in parts of the southeastern regions. On Hawaii’s Big Island, the summits are under a Winter Storm Warning, with additional snow and 35 mph winds expected.
Snowfall rates may exceed one inch per hour during the peak of the storm, making travel extremely dangerous. The storm is linked to a volatile polar air mass moving south, bringing rapid snowfall, gusty winds, and plummeting temperatures.
“Periods of moderate snow and low visibility will be the biggest hazards,” warned the National Weather Service. In Hawaii, NWS officials noted, “Heavy snowfall and strong winds are forecast for the peaks.”
This sudden weather shift, often referred to as ‘weather whiplash’, is impacting large swaths of the country, with officials urging residents to take precautions.