A significant winter storm will continue to bring heavy snow and blizzards to parts of the north and central U.S. on Tuesday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter storm warnings and/or blizzard warnings for six states: Alaska, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming.
In a forecast early Tuesday, the weather service said the snow is expected to continue through Tuesday evening and gradually taper off Tuesday night through early Wednesday.
Up to 8 inches of snow are expected across parts of western South Dakota, western Nebraska, far eastern Wyoming, and northeastern Colorado, with some lighter snow into the Middle Missouri Valley, the forecast said. Meanwhile, it's likely that more than a foot of snow could be dumped in parts of south-central South Dakota and north-central Nebraska.
"In addition, strong winds gusting upwards of 55 mph will lead to blizzard conditions," the forecast added. "The combination of heavy snow rates and white-out conditions will make travel difficult to impossible."
Newsweek has rounded up where winter storm warnings and blizzard warnings are in effect.
Alaska
A winter storm warning remains in effect for Klondike Highway near White Pass in the municipality of Skagway until 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Up to 12 inches of snow were reported along the Klondike Highway early Tuesday. Additional snow accumulations of up to 15 inches are expected with winds gusting up to 40 mph. A winter storm warning is also in effect for Haines Highway near Haines Customs. Additional snow accumulations of up to 5 inches is expected.
Colorado
Blizzard warnings are in effect for several counties in northeastern Colorado until Wednesday morning or afternoon. A warning for Cheyenne, Kit Carson and Yuma counties remains in effect until Wednesday morning, with total snow accumulations of up to 8 inches expected and winds gusting as high as 60 mph.
A warning is also in effect for north and northeast Elbert County below 6,000 feet, as well as North Lincoln and Washington counties until Wednesday morning. Travelers are warned that visibility may drop below a quarter-mile due to falling and blowing blow, and to plan on difficult if not impossible driving conditions.
Kansas
A blizzard warning is in effect for much of northwest Kansas until Wednesday morning, including Cheyenne, Decatur, Graham, Norton, Rawlings, Sheridan, Sherman and Thomas counties. Up to 8 inches of snow are expected, with northwest winds sustained at 25 mph to 40 mph and gusts as high as 60 mph. Forecasters warn that travel will be difficult or impossible into Tuesday, and road closures are likely.
Nebraska
Winter storm warnings are in effect for Dawes, North Sioux, Box Butte, Morrill counties until early Wednesday. Up to 16 inches of snow are expected to fall in Dawes and North Sioux counties, with the highest amounts expected along the Pine Ridge. Blizzard warnings are in effect for much of western Nebraska, with residents warned that patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Forecasters have warned the hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute and that gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
South Dakota
Winter storm warnings remain in effect for portions of South Dakota, including Campbell, Corson, Potter and Walworth counties until Tuesday evening. Additional snow accumulations of up to 3 inches are expected in those counties, as well as winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
Blizzard warnings remain in effect for much of western South Dakota until Tuesday evening, where forecasters warn that travel could be very difficult. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility and the hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute, forecasters said.
Wyoming
Winter storm warnings are in effect for Niobrara County, Central Laramie County, Northeastern Crook County and the Wyoming Black Hills until Tuesday or Wednesday, with up to 16 inches of snow expected in some places. Blizzard warnings are in effect for the South Laramie Range until late Tuesday and East Laramie County until Wednesday morning, with forecasters warning of "extremely dangerous" or impossible travel conditions due to icy, snow packed roads and near-zero visibilities in falling and blowing snow.
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