Millions Issued Travel Warnings As Ice Storm Hits

A large swath of the U.S. is under winter storm warnings and advisories as a weather system brings snow, ice and gusty winds.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued official alerts from the Northeast through parts of the upper Midwest, warning of difficult travel and potential power outages.

Why It Matters

The NWS warned that the storms will create hazardous road conditions, potentially impacting morning and evening commutes. It added that people in some affected areas should consider avoiding or delaying travel.

Commenting on the conditions in parts of South Dakota, it said: “Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Prepare for possible power outages.”

What To Know

As of early Wednesday, an ice storm warning was in place in South Dakota’s Codington, Grant, and Deuel counties.

AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek that areas in the icing corridor may receive 0.05 inches to 0.20 inches of freezing rain and up to half a foot of snow, which has the potential to cause major travel disruptions and possible localized power outages.

The NWS said travel was “strongly discouraged” in the area, and that Wednesday commutes could be affected.

Winter storm warnings were also in effect for parts of California, Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota. The warnings mean that a “significant combination of hazardous winter weather is occurring or imminent.”

In Minnesota’s southern Cook and Lake Counties, the NWS said between 12 and 15 inches of snow could fall across higher terrain.

It also warned that travel could be “very difficult to impossible,” and that blowing snow could “significantly” reduce visibility.

Meanwhile, less severe winter weather advisories were in place for parts of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

What People Are Saying

AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek:”The corridor of ice and snow will extend east of the Dakotas today, into central and northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and northern Michigan.

“Areas of northern Michigan and northeastern Wisconsin are still experiencing scattered to widespread power outages in the wake of the previous ice storm, making this storm even more impactful.

“Especially in northern Michigan, many trees and power lines are still coated with upwards of an inch of ice and there will be a mixture of snow, ice and sleet today that can further weigh down trees, posing a significant risk for additional tree damage, power outages and further prolonging cleanup efforts.”