Central US Braces For Major Storm; Up To 25 Inches Of Snow Possible

A major winter storm is expected to bring extreme weather conditions to the central United States through Thursday. Blizzard Warnings have been issued in six states as officials projected the possibility of up to 25 inches of snow accumulations in several affected states, including South Dakota.

"Major storm system to bring significant, widespread weather hazards from severe weather to blizzard conditions to the central U.S.," the National Weather Service (NWS) said in its Short Range Public Discussion report published Monday.

"The highest snow totals are currently forecast for western South Dakota and northwestern Nebraska, where upwards of 18-24 inches is possible," the NWS noted.

In Nebraska, officials at the NWS in North Platte are expecting blizzard conditions with heavy snow and thunderstorms.

Over in South Dakota, officials at the NWS in Sioux Falls said a mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow is possible through Tuesday morning.

The NWS in Rapid City also noted that blizzard conditions are expected through "much" of Tuesday and Tuesday evening.

In Colorado, the NWS in Boulder said the heaviest snow totals are expected in mountainous areas and the northeast plains. Up to 10 inches is possible in Byers, up to 11 inches is possible in Wiggins, Fort Morgan and Sterling, while up to 12 inches is possible in Last Chance.

Kansas will experience numerous showers and thunderstorms through Tuesday morning, the NWS in Wichita said. Up to 60 mph winds are possible, along with dime-sized hail.

In Wyoming, officials at the NWS in Cheyenne are expecting extreme winter storm conditions in Lusk and Chadron from Tuesday morning through noon.

In Montana, forecasters are expecting up to 16 inches of snow accumulations through Thursday morning in several areas such as the Bighorn Canyon, Southern and Northern Big Horn and Treasure.

The NWS in Billings also warned of "major impacts," such as hazardous travel conditions in the following areas: Broadus, Buffalo, Bowman, Sheridan, parts of Miles City, and Gillette.

Officials have issued Blizzard Warnings and several other winter alerts in six states.

Winter alerts in Nebraska

Blizzard Warning effective through 11 p.m. Tuesday:

• Dundy (wind gusts of up to 65 mph possible)

Blizzard Warning effective through 11 p.m. Wednesday:

• Dawes – Northern Sioux, Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, South Sioux ((wind gusts of up to 60 mph possible)

Blizzard Warnings effective through 6 a.m. Thursday:

• Sheridan – Cherry, Garden, Hooker, Arthur and Deuel (up to 20 inches possible)
• Brown – Keya Paha, Thomas, Keith and McPherson (wind gusts of up to 50 mph possible)

Winter alerts in South Dakota

Blizzard Warnings effective through 5 a.m. Thursday:

• Rosebud Reservation – Bennett, Haakon, Jackson, Mellette, Todd and Tribal Lands of the Pine Ridge Reservation (up to 25 inches possible)
• Northern Meade Co Plains – Butte, Harding, Perkins and Ziebach (up to 20 inches possible)
• Fall River – Oglala Lakota and Southern Foot Hills (up to 24 inches possible)
• Custer Co Plains – Pennington Co Plains, Southern Meade Co Plains, Sturgis/Piedmont Foot Hills (up to 20 inches possible)
• Northern Foot Hills (up to 24 inches possible)

Ice Storm Warnings effective through 11 a.m. Tuesday:

• Kingsbury – Lake and Minnehaha (wind gusts of up to 40 mph possible)
• Parts of east central South Dakota – Brookings and Moody (wind gusts of up to 40 mph possible)

Ice Storm Warning effective through 5 p.m. Tuesday:

• Parts of northeast South Dakota – Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall and Roberts (wind gusts of up to 45 mph possible)

Winter alerts in Colorado

Blizzard Warnings effective through 11 p.m. Tuesday:

• Central and East Adams – Logan, Morgan, Briggsdale, Byers, Sterling, Akron, Northeast Weld and Washington (wind gusts of up to 60 mph possible)
• North Lincoln – North and Northeast Elbert (wind gusts of up to 50 mph possible)
• Philips and Sedgwick (wind gusts of up to 60 mph possible)
• Kit Carson and Yuma (wind gusts of up to 65 mph possible)

Winter alerts in Kansas

Blizzard Warning effective through 11 p.m. Tuesday:

• Cheyenne (wind gusts of up to 65 mph possible)

High Wind Warning effective through 6 p.m. Wednesday:

• Greeley – Cheyenne, Sherman and Wallace (power outages due to high winds possible)

Winter alerts in Wyoming

Blizzard Warning effective through 5 p.m. Wednesday:

• Northeast Johnson County (wind gusts of up to 45 mph possible)

Blizzard Warnings effective through 11 p.m. Wednesday:

• Central Laramie – South Laramie Range Foothills (wind gusts of up to 55 mph possible)
• Converse County Lower Elevations – East Laramie, East Platte, Goshen, Niobrara, North Snowy Range Foothills (wind gusts of up to 60 mph possible)

Blizzard Warnings effective through 5 a.m. Thursday:

• Sheridan Foothills (up to 16 inches possible)
• Northern and Southern Campbell – Western Crook (up to 18 inches possible)
• Northeastern Crook (up to 20 inches possible)
• Wyoming Black Hills (up to 24 inches possible)

Winter alert in Montana

Blizzard Warning effective through 5 a.m. Thursday:

• Carter and Powder River (up to 16 inches possible)