Winter Storm Warning Announced for Second Storm With 18 Inches of Snow, 60 mph Winds

Right when you thought there would be a break from the snow and cold, on Saturday, December 27, the National Weather Service (NWS) announced added winter weather warnings for the U.S.

A large winter storm continues to break through areas of the U.S., with the NWS reporting that areas of the Northeast, Rockies and Alaska expected to get an upwards of 18 inches of snow, as well as strong winds, high wind gusts up to 60 mph and icy conditions. Even beyond these areas, a second storm is expected to hit other areas of the U.S. with fresh snowfall, up to 12 inches, and strong winds.

As we enjoy the holiday weekend, the NWS has issued winter storm warnings impacting multiple states. Many of those warnings are impacting travel and will run into next week.

Winter Storm Warnings for 18 Inches of Snow

As for the areas bracing for 18 inches of snow, those include Colorado, Idaho and Wyoming, especially the mountainous areas.

"The Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning for the Sierra Madre Range," the NWS in Cheyenne announced on Friday, Dec. 26. "12 to 18 inches of snow is expected, with potentially 20+ inches in the highest peaks. Winter Weather Advisories have been issued adjacent to the Warning."

"Mountain snow will continue and become more widespread throughout the day today," the NWS in Boulder, Colorado, stated on Saturday, Dec. 27. "Later tonight a cold front sweeps across the plains bringing colder temperatures and a chance of snow."

Other Areas of the U.S. Getting Hit With Up to 12 Inches of Snow

According to research from AccuWeather, a second major storm is set to become a "bomb cyclone" over the Great Lakes from Sunday, Dec. 28, into Monday, Dec. 29, with pressure dropping 24 millibars in 24 hours. The storm is expected to run from the Plains to New England, bringing hazards from heavy snow to severe thunderstorms.

"The next storm will strengthen as it moves into the Great Lakes on Sunday, making for wide-reaching impacts across the Midwest and Northeast. Heavy snow and strong winds are expected across Minnesota, Wisconsin and portions of Michigan, resulting in blowing snow, whiteouts and dangerous travel into Monday," Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist, said in a statement provided to Men's Journal.

Travis added, "In the Northeast, this will be a warmer storm compared to the post-Christmas storm, with many interior locales expected to experience ice rather than snow. Icing is expected across the northern tier of Pennsylvania as well as across parts of New York and New England late Sunday into Monday before changing over to rain."

It's not just snow. Cold is impacting holiday travel plans, too. Winter Storm Devin took its toll on New York on Friday evening, Dec. 26, with the Weather Channel stating, "Snow plows were deployed and bags of salt were bought as residents fought back the ice and snow. This is the first time Central Park has seen more than four inches of snow since 2022."