Holiday Winter Weather Alert: Which states will see snowstorms today, Saturday December 16?
Here’s a look at which communities across the country could expect to be impacted by winter weather conditions according to the National Weather Service.
As the cold temperatures set in the conditions are ripe for hazardous weather events across the nation. Throughout the day the National Weather Service (NWS) issues alerts to give Americans in the affected areas a heads up and take the necessary precautions to stay safe.
Wintery weather conditions on this Saturday 16 December are mainly limited to Alaska but the NWS has issued other alerts to heed. We have compiled all of the current alerts active for today, and for the full details, check out the NWS website.
What is a Winter Weather Advisory?
The following areas are under Winter Weather Advisory, which the NWS issues “for any amount of freezing rain, or when 2 to 4 inches of snow (alone or in combination with sleet and freezing rain), is expected to cause a significant inconvenience, but not serious enough to warrant a warning.” For the details, please review the information uploaded to the NWS website, which compiles and updates these alerts.
What is a Winter Storm Warning?
The more severe alert issued by the NWS is a Winter Storm Warning, which includes “heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected. It can also be issued if sleet accumulation will be at least half an inch.”
The NWS also issues Ice Storm Warnings where ice accumulation of at least one-fourth of an inch is expected, while a Blizzard Warning is given when blizzard conditions are expected for at least three hours.
Alaska:
Kuskokwim Delta, including Bethel and Nunivak Island | 8 AM to 9 PM AKST Saturday
Western Arctic Coast, including Point Hope, Point Lay, and Cape Lisburne | 9 PM Saturday to 3 PM AKST Sunday
Yukon Delta Coast, including Mountain Village, Emmonak, Alakanuk, Kotlik, Scammon Bay, Hooper Bay, Nunam Iqua, and Chevak | 6 AM to 9 PM AKST Saturday.
Colorado:
Four Corners/Upper Dolores River and Animas River Basin | Dense fog advisory
Cortez, Dove Creek, Mancos, Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio | Until 9 AM MST Saturday
Minnesota & Wisconsin:
Chequamegon Bay-Bayfield to Oak Point and Oak Point to Saxon Harbor | Dense fog advisory
Chequamegon Bay-Bayfield to Oak Point WI, Oak Point to Saxon Harbor WI | Until 4 AM CST Saturday
Oregon:
Foothills of the Northern Blue Mountains and Central Oregon | Dense fog advisory
Pendleton, Pilot Rock, Bend, Madras, Prineville, Redmond, Dayton, Waitsburg, Walla Walla | until 10 AM PST Saturday
Lower Columbia Basin | Dense fog advisory
Connell, Prosser, Tri-Cities | until 10 AM PST Saturday
South Willamette Valley | Dense fog advisory
Eugene, Springfield, Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon | until 10 AM PST Saturday
Washington:
Moses Lake Area and Upper Columbia Basin | Dense fog advisory
Harrington, Othello, Creston, Coulee City, Odessa, Quincy, Wilbur, Moses Lake, Ephrata, Grand Coulee, and Ritzville |until 10 AM PST Saturday
It’s important to keep yourself updated with the latest weather alerts. To get the full details, you can visit the NWS website. In most cases, these warnings will advise you to stay off the roads or take necessary precautions. For instance, make sure to give yourself extra time to reach your destination as the roads might be slippery and require you to slow down at certain points. When you’re not on the road, it’s also important to be cautious while walking on walkways, sidewalks, and paths as they can become icy and increase the risk of injuries.