Six states are preparing for a winter storm that could bring as much as 20 inches of snow to the area. New York, Vermont, Maryland, Colorado, and Wyoming are bracing for blizzard-like conditions.
The warnings come amid reports that a polar vortex—a mass of cold, low-pressure air around the poles that can bring extreme winter weather—could bring the coldest January the U.S. has faced in years, according to Newsweek.
In New York, the National Weather Service has warned for snowfall up to 14 inches and wind gusts reaching 50 mph, with the highest winds anticipated on Thursday.
“The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Strong winds may also cause areas of blowing snow and reduce visibility further. Travel could be very difficult. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches,” the NWS service said.
Vermont could see between 4 and 14 inches of snow and wind gusts of up to 50 mph, with the strongest winds also expected on Thursday.
“The combination of strong winds and heavy snow could bring down tree limbs, potentially leading to power outages,” the National Weather Service warned. “Blowing snow may reduce visibility, making travel very difficult. Gusty winds could also cause tree branches to fall.”
Maryland is looking at 2 to 8 inches of snow and winds of up to 45mph, which could cause hazardous driving conditions.
A winter storm watch is in effect from late Thursday night through Saturday morning for multiple areas in West Virginia. Expect snowfall accumulations of 4 to 8 inches and wind gusts up to 50 mph.
The NWS forecasts snowfall of 8 to 16 inches, and wind gusts up to 40 mph. These conditions will aggravate hazards from blowing snow and lower visibility, while Wyoming may experience 16 to 20 inches of snowfall, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 50 mph.
Those traveling during these extreme conditions are urged to take precautions. Residents and visitors are advised to stay alert and limit travel as much as possible.