Winter Weather Alerts Issued for 10 States With Snow To Hit on Christmas

Heavy snow and blizzards are forecast to effect several states across the U.S. on Christmas Day.

The National Weather Service (NWS) currently has winter storm warnings, winter weather advisories and blizzard warnings in place for 10 states: Alaska, Kansas, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota and Washington.

In its latest forecast early Monday, the weather service said a large storm system will bring heavy snow and blizzard conditions across the country.

Heavy snow will increase in coverage and intensity throughout Christmas Day across northern Kansas, Nebraska and South Dakota. Strong winds gusting upward of 55 mph will lead to blizzard conditions, forecasters warned.

"While a White Christmas may be exciting for those nestled at home, the heavy snowfall rates and reduced visibilities due to blowing snow will make for hazardous, to even impossible, travel conditions," the NWS forecast said.

Here, Newsweek rounds up where winter storm warnings, blizzard warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect.

Alaska

A winter storm warning remains in effect for Klondike Highway near White Pass in the municipality of Skagway, in the far southeast of the state on the Canadian border, until 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday. Total snow accumulations of up to 15 inches are expected with winds gusting up to 30 mph. A winter storm warning is also in effect for Haines Highway near Haines Customs, around 130 miles northwest of state capital Juneau, until Tuesday morning, where up to 20 inches of snow is forecast.

Kansas

A blizzard warning is in effect from midday on Monday until Wednesday morning for parts of northwest Kansas, northeast Colorado and southwest Nebraska. Up to 7 inches of snow is expected, with winds gusting as high as 60 mph. Winter weather advisories are also in effect for portions of Kansas, including Russell, Lincoln, Ellsworth, and Saline Counties in the middle of the state. Travelers are urged to plan for slippery road conditions and reduced visibility.

Maine

A winter weather advisory is in effect for parts of southwest and western Maine until early Monday morning. The NWS warns that untreated surfaces may become icy as drizzle continues.

Minnesota

Winter weather advisories are in effect for parts of Minnesota until Tuesday. Mixed precipitation is expected in parts of southwest Minnesota and ice accumulation of one 10th to a quarter of an inch, and winds gusting up to 45 mph. Forecasters have warned that power outages and damage to trees are likely due to the ice.

Nebraska

A winter storm warning in the south of the state, affecting Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Furnas, Harlan, Nuckolls and Webster Counties, will remain in place until Wednesday morning. Up to 7 inches of snow is expected in total, and winds gusting as high as 40 mph. A winter storm warning for northeast Nebraska remains in effect until Tuesday. Numerous blizzard warnings are also in effect for parts of the state, with forecasters warning that travel will be very difficult, if not impossible.

New Hampshire

A winter weather advisory for parts of northern New Hampshire remains in effect until early Monday, with the NWS warning that untreated surfaces may become icy as drizzle continues.

North Dakota

Winter weather advisories are in effect for Kidder, Wells, Emmons, Foster, Logan, McIntosh, Sioux, and Stutsman Counties in the center and south of the state until Tuesday evening, with up to 3 inches of snow expected and ice accumulations of up to two 10ths of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph will produce patchy blowing snow while it is falling, forecasters warn. Ice storm warnings are also in effect for parts of the state, including Nelson, Grand Forks, Griggs, Steele and Traill Counties, in the east of the state, with forecasters warning that power outages and tree damage are likely.

Oregon

Further Winter weather advisories are in effect for parts of Oregon. An advisory remains in effect until 10 p.m. local time on Tuesday for the Eastern Columbia River Gorge of the state and north central Oregon, where up to an inch of snow is expected and ice accumulations of up to two 10ths of an inch.

South Dakota

A winter storm warning remains in effect for Clay, Kingsbury, McCook, Miner, Turner Counties, in the east and southeast of the state, until 6 p.m. local time on Tuesday. Heavy mixed precipitation is forecast, with total snow accumulations of up to 8 inches expected and ice accumulations of up to two 10ths of an inch. Blizzard warnings are also in effect for parts of the state, with forecasters warning that widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility.

Washington

Winter weather advisories are in effect for parts of Washington. An advisory for parts of Chelan County, to the east of Seattle, warns that up to 8 inches of snow could fall, with light icing possible at Stevens Pass.