Winter weather warnings for five states as 18 inches of snow to hit

Winter storm warnings and advisories have been put in place for several U.S. states by the National Weather Service (NWS).

It’s already been a chilly week for the West Coast, with two storm systems traveling in from the Pacific Ocean, bringing snow, freezing rain and bitter temperatures. That’s unlikely to abate in the coming two days for four West Coast states, with similar hazardous conditions expected in parts of the Northeast as well.

Washington is currently subject to two winter storm warnings. One for Okanogan County says additional snowfall of around 8 inches throughout Thursday afternoon is likely to impact travel on State Route 20. Another, in place for West Slopes North Cascades and Passes until 4 p.m. local time, warns that up to 18 inches of snow could fall, making travel through the area “very difficult to impossible.”

More From Newsweek Vault: 5 Steps to Build an Emergency Fund Today

Other states are also subject to winter weather advisories, including California, which has seen snow and ice in recent days. One warning, in place for numerous counties ranging from north to central California, says freezing rain is likely from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. PST on Friday. The NWS warned that “slippery sidewalks, roads and bridges are possible,” and that “hazardous conditions could impact the Friday morning commute.”

Across a similar area in central California, up to 11 inches of snow could fall between 4 p.m. on Thursday and 10 p.m. on Friday, according to NWS predictions. Motorists are urged to “slow down and use caution” while traveling, with commutes on both days likely to be impacted by the poor conditions.

More From Newsweek Vault: Compare the Best Banks for Emergency Funds

In neighboring Oregon, the South Central Oregon Cascades from Crater Lake northward, including the Crater Lake Rim and portions of Highways 62,
138 and 230, can expect anywhere between four and 10 inches of snow until 4 a.m. on Thursday, as well as wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

Further north in Alaska, several advisories are in place. Those in the Lower Kuskokwim Valley can may be hit by up to 10 inches of snow from 10 a.m. on Thursday through early Friday morning, with the highest snow amounts expected for Georgetown, Red Devil, Sleetmute and Stony River.

Another advisory is in place for Russian Mission, St Mary’s, Pilot Station and Marshall, with the NWS warning that snow and blowing could cause visibility one half mile or less at times, making for hazardous driving conditions. Some one to three inches of snow is expected to fall, accompanied by wind gusts as high as 40 mph.

More From Newsweek Vault: Learn More About the Different Types of Savings Accounts

Switching to the East Coast, a slew of areas in Maine are expected to be impacted by “periods of freezing rain” that “will cause travel difficulties.” The NWS said sidewalks are likely to be very slippery, with travel across roads and bridges also likely to be tough. The advisory covers portions of the Central Highlands, Coastal DownEast, Far Eastern, Far Northern, Interior DownEast, North Woods and Penobscot Valley from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET on Friday.