Winter weather warnings in 8 states like 12 inches of snow to hit

Thanksgiving looks set to be wet and cold for millions of Americans in the American Northeast as the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a number of winter weather warnings and advisories.

Heavy snow is expected across New England and beyond today and could throw a wrench into holiday travel plans across the region. Snow and rain are expected to extend from northern Pennsylvania all the way up into Maine throughout Thursday and into Friday morning.

Almost all of Maine is covered by winter storm warnings, with 5 to 10 inches of snow expected from 6 p.m. 4 PM ET Thursday through Friday morning. Higher amounts are expected in Piscataquis County to southeastern Aroostook County.

“Periods of locally heavy snowfall can lead to rapid snow accumulations,” the NWS warning reads. “The weight of heavy, wet snow on tree limbs can bring down power lines and can cause sporadic power outages. Travel can be very difficult due to heavy snow creating low visibility and wet roads freezing under new snow.”

Similar amounts of snow are expected in neighboring New Hampshire, with a warning in place for Sullivan, Carroll and Grafton counties. In addition to potential power outages, driving conditions throughout the area are likely to become hazardous.

Winter storm warnings are also active in the Vermont counties of Bennington, Orange, Rutland, Windham and Windsor. In Bennington and Windham, up to 12 inches of snow is expected from early Thursday morning through noon. 1 Friday, with Thanksgiving travel likely to be affected.

Parts of central and eastern New York are affected by several winter storm warnings, with several warnings issued in the southern part of the state. About 10 inches of snow is expected for eastern parts, where snow could fall at a rate of 1 inch per hour throughout Thursday afternoon. Other warnings are active for Oneida, Madison, Chenango and Otsego counties.

Across the state line in Pennsylvania, winter weather advisories are active for northern parts of the state, including Potter, Tioga, Lycoming and Sullivan counties, where as much as 3 to 4 inches is expected at higher elevations.

Elsewhere in Bradford, Susquehanna and Wayne counties, snow is forecast from early morning to 10 p.m. 10, before the rain comes in the late morning and afternoon. Motorists are encouraged to slow down and use caution when traveling.

A winter weather advisory is active for Massachusetts for Berkshire County, where 2 to 8 inches of “wet snow” is likely. Snowfall rates could reach 1 inch per hour during the afternoon, with some Thanksgiving trips likely to be affected.

As we move over to the Canadian border, a single winter weather advisory is in place in Minnesota for St. Louis County. 2-4 inches of snow is likely in this area.

“Lake-effect snow showers off Rainy Lake are expected to produce conditions ranging from locally moderate snowfall with rapid reductions in visibility to dry weather just a few miles away,” the NWS advisory reads. “Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility and road conditions.”

Finally, in Alaska, two winter weather advisories are in place, one for Petersburg Borough and another for Hyder, where “an intensifying system coming from the west will push warm air north Wednesday afternoon with a wintry mix.”

“Wet and dense” snow is expected before more cold air moves in, where the snow becomes increasingly fluffy and dry.