Track winter storm warnings across the U.S. right now
None activeThe winter storm tracker shows that 16 winter storm alerts are active in 7 states right now. Below: where they are, the travel and power impact, and what to do.
Where winter alerts are active
Winter storm, blizzard, ice and cold alerts in effect now. Use the buttons to jump to Alaska or Hawaii.
No tracked winter storm event right now
No winter storm event is being tracked right now. Local winter weather alerts may still be active, listed above when they are.
Check your location
See which alerts apply where you are, and what to do for each. ZIP code or city, no sign-up.
Use my current locationActive official alerts
Watches and warnings in effect now, even when no named event is tracked.
Blizzard WarningCentral Beaufort Sea Coast; Eastern Beaufort Sea CoastUntil Nov 13, 4:00 PM AKST
Blizzard Warning issued November 11 at 2:00PM AKST until November 13 at 4:00PM AKST by NWS Fairbanks AK
Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.
Alaska
Blizzard WarningNorthern Arctic CoastUntil Nov 13, 4:00 PM AKST
Blizzard Warning issued November 11 at 2:00PM AKST until November 13 at 4:00PM AKST by NWS Fairbanks AK
Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.
Alaska
Winter Storm WarningLassen Volcanic National Park; Sierra Nevada of Sierra-Nevada-Placer Counties Above 5000 ft Including Interstate 80; Sierra Nevada of El Dorado-Amador-Northern Alpine Counties Above 5000 ft Including Highway 50; Sierra Nevada of Calaveras-Tuolumne-Southern Alpine Counties Above 5000 ftUntil Nov 14, 10:00 AM PST
Winter Storm Warning issued November 12 at 12:05AM PST until November 14 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Sacramento CA
Check the latest road conditions from Caltrans online at quickmap.dot.ca.gov or dial 5 1 1.
California
Winter Storm WarningGreater Lake Tahoe Area; Greater Lake Tahoe AreaUntil Nov 14, 10:00 AM PST
Winter Storm Warning issued November 12 at 12:33AM PST until November 14 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Reno NV
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
California, Nevada
Winter Storm WarningMonoUntil Nov 14, 10:00 AM PST
Winter Storm Warning issued November 12 at 12:33AM PST until November 14 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Reno NV
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
California
Winter Storm WarningEastern Sierra Slopes of Inyo CountyUntil Nov 14, 4:00 PM PST
Winter Storm Warning issued November 11 at 11:43PM PST until November 14 at 4:00PM PST by NWS Las Vegas NV
If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
California
Winter Storm WatchYosemite NP outside of the valley; Upper San Joaquin River; Kaiser to Rodgers Ridge; Kings Canyon NP; Grant Grove Area; Sequoia NPUntil Nov 17, 4:00 AM PST
Winter Storm Watch issued November 11 at 5:33PM PST until November 17 at 4:00AM PST by NWS Hanford CA
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
California
Winter Weather AdvisoryLower Matanuska Valley; Southern Susitna ValleyUntil Nov 12, 5:00 AM AKST
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 11:02PM AKST until November 12 at 5:00AM AKST by NWS Anchorage AK
Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov.
Alaska
Winter Weather AdvisoryAnchorageUntil Nov 12, 5:00 AM AKST
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 11:02PM AKST until November 12 at 5:00AM AKST by NWS Anchorage AK
Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible power outages. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov.
Alaska
Winter Weather AdvisorySW Kenai Peninsula; NW Kenai Peninsula; Skilak LakeUntil Nov 12, 5:00 AM AKST
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 11:02PM AKST until November 12 at 5:00AM AKST by NWS Anchorage AK
Slow down and use caution while traveling. Prepare for possible power outages. For the latest road conditions call 5 1 1 or visit 511.alaska.gov.
Alaska
Winter Weather AdvisoryWestern Arctic Coast; Northwest Arctic CoastUntil Nov 12, 4:00 PM AKST
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 2:00PM AKST until November 12 at 4:00PM AKST by NWS Fairbanks AK
Slow down and use caution while traveling.
Alaska
Winter Weather AdvisoryHamilton; Northern Warren; Bennington; Western WindhamUntil Nov 13, 10:00 AM EST
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 12 at 12:02AM EST until November 13 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Albany NY
Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.
New York, Vermont
Winter Weather AdvisoryWestern Essex; Eastern Addison; Eastern RutlandUntil Nov 13, 10:00 AM EST
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 12 at 1:20AM EST until November 13 at 10:00AM EST by NWS Burlington VT
Slow down and use caution while traveling. For the latest on road conditions in Vermont, visit https://newengland511.org and for New York, visit https://511ny.org.
New York, Vermont
Winter Weather AdvisoryBaraga; MarquetteUntil Nov 13, 12:00 PM EST
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 12 at 1:32AM EST until November 13 at 12:00PM EST by NWS Marquette MI
Slow down and use caution while traveling. During lake effect snow, the weather can vary from bands of locally heavy snow to dry weather just a few miles away. Visibilities can also vary greatly. Be prepared for rapid changes in weather, visibility, and road conditions.
Michigan
Winter Weather AdvisoryWestern Greene; Western UlsterUntil Nov 13, 1:00 PM EST
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 12 at 12:02AM EST until November 13 at 1:00PM EST by NWS Albany NY
Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving. If you are going outside, watch your first few steps taken on stairs, sidewalks, and driveways. These surfaces could be icy and slippery, increasing your risk of a fall and injury.
New York
Winter Weather AdvisoryJohnson; Cocke Smoky Mountains; Southeast Greene; Unicoi; Southeast Carter; Blount Smoky Mountains; Sevier Smoky Mountains; Southeast MonroeUntil Nov 14, 6:00 AM CST
Winter Weather Advisory issued November 11 at 11:09PM EST until November 14 at 7:00AM EST by NWS Morristown TN
Slow down and use caution while traveling. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.
Tennessee
No alerts match these filters.
What could be next
In most of the country winter storms are most common from November through March, earlier in the northern states and mountains. Ice storms and extreme cold can happen far south of the heaviest snow, so check alerts even if you do not expect snow.
Winter storm watch, advisory and warning
| Alert | What it means |
|---|---|
| Winter Storm Watch | Significant snow, sleet or ice is possible, usually 12 to 48 hours ahead. Prepare now. |
| Winter Storm Warning | Significant winter weather is expected or occurring. Travel may be very hazardous or impossible. |
| Winter Weather Advisory | Snow, sleet or ice will cause inconvenience and could be hazardous, but is less severe than a warning. |
| Blizzard Warning | Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow reducing visibility to under a quarter mile for at least 3 hours. |
| Ice Storm Warning | Ice accumulation of about a quarter inch or more is expected, which can bring down trees and power lines. |
What to do
General steps in the order you will need them. Enter your location for steps matched to your actual alerts.
Get ready
Now
Check 511 for traffic, road conditions and restrictions before you leave, and share your timetable and your primary and alternate routes. In a winter storm warning, delay travel until conditions improve.
Source: NWS: Before a winter stormA wind chill warning means dangerously low wind chill is expected, which can cause frostbite and hypothermia. Avoid going outdoors if possible.
Source: NWS: Winter watches, warnings and advisories Full guide →Include a phone and charger, blankets or sleeping bags, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first aid kit, high-calorie food, extra dry clothing and a shovel. Keep the gas tank near full.
Source: NWS: Before a winter storm Full guide →Have a flashlight with extra batteries, a battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio, extra prescription medication, and food and water that need no cooking or refrigeration.
Source: NWS: Before a winter storm Full guide →
Decide
If conditions worsen
In a blizzard warning, do not travel. If travel is unavoidable, carry a winter survival kit. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and wait for help.
Source: NWS: Winter watches, warnings and advisories Full guide →
Ride it out
During
Wear layers of loose, lightweight, warm clothing. If the heat goes out, close off unneeded rooms, stuff towels in door cracks, and eat and drink to fuel your body's heat production.
Source: NWS: During a winter storm Full guide →Stay in the vehicle and run the engine about 10 minutes each hour for heat. Open a window slightly and keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow to avoid carbon monoxide.
Source: NWS: During a winter storm Full guide →The areas most prone to frostbite are uncovered skin and the hands and feet. People exposed to extreme cold can develop hypothermia in a matter of minutes.
Source: NWS: Cold Full guide →Never use a generator inside your home or garage, even with doors and windows open. Run it only outdoors, more than 20 feet from windows, doors and vents.
Source: CDC: Carbon monoxide
Winter storm watch vs warning, blizzard and ice storm warnings
Tell a winter storm watch from a warning, and learn what blizzard and ice storm alerts and advisories mean and what the NWS says to do.
UnderstandingFrost advisory vs freeze warning: what each means
Tell a frost advisory from a freeze warning, and see what each alert means, how cold it gets, and how frost differs from a freeze.
UnderstandingNor'easters explained, including when they hit and notable storms
Learn what a nor'easter is, how it got its name, where and when these coastal storms form, and the notable storms the NWS lists.
UnderstandingLake effect snow: what causes it and where it falls
Find out how lake effect snow forms over the Great Lakes, why it falls in narrow bands, and how heavy it can get, from the NWS.
UnderstandingThe polar vortex explained: what it is and how it brings Arctic cold
The polar vortex is always there. See how it can send Arctic air south and how to prepare for a cold snap, from the NWS.
UnderstandingIce storms, freezing rain and black ice: what they do and how to stay safe
See what heavy ice does to trees, power lines and roads, how black ice forms, and the minimum lake ice thickness the NWS gives.
UnderstandingWorst snowstorms in U.S. history: NOAA's list of historic storms
The biggest U.S. snowstorms from NOAA NCEI's historic storm list: the 1993 Superstorm, Blizzard of 1996, 1978 blizzard and 1950 Appalachian storm.
UnderstandingWind chill explained: what it is and how the NWS calculates it
Wind chill measures how cold it feels. See the NWS formula, when it becomes dangerous, and example values from the NWS chart.
PreparingWinter storm preparedness: getting your home ready
Get your home ready for a winter storm with Ready.gov guidance on insulation, detectors, several days of supplies and a car kit.
PreparingWhat to keep in your winter car kit
Pack a winter storm survival kit for your car using the NWS list, and prepare your vehicle and yourself before winter weather arrives.
Staying safeWhat to do if you are stranded in a vehicle in snow
What the NWS says to do if you are stranded in a vehicle in a winter storm or blizzard: stay with the vehicle, run the engine sparingly, signal for help.
Staying safeStaying warm and safe in a winter power outage
How to keep warm during a winter power outage and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from generators and heaters, from NWS, CDC and Poison Control.
Staying safeGenerator safety: preventing carbon monoxide poisoning
How to use a portable generator without carbon monoxide poisoning: keep it outdoors, 20 feet from windows, doors and vents, and use a battery CO alarm.
Staying safeExtreme cold: dressing, frostbite and hypothermia
Dress and go out safely in dangerous cold, and learn the signs and first actions for frostbite and hypothermia, from NWS and Ready.gov.
RecoveringFood safety after a power outage or flood
Know how long food stays safe without power, what to throw away after an outage or flood, and how to make water safe to drink, from USDA.
Recent events
Common questions about winter storms
What is the difference between a winter storm watch and a warning?
A watch means significant winter weather is possible, usually 12 to 48 hours ahead. A warning means it is expected or already happening. Advisories cover less severe but still hazardous conditions.
When is a storm a blizzard?
When sustained winds or frequent gusts reach 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow cutting visibility under a quarter mile for at least 3 hours. Snow depth is not part of the definition.
What should I keep in the car?
A charged phone and charger, blankets, water, snacks, a flashlight, jumper cables, and a full gas tank. If you can avoid driving during a warning, do.
Where do your winter alerts come from?
From the National Weather Service. We refresh them every 15 minutes and link to the official alert for every one.
How do I prepare for a winter storm?
Insulate and weatherstrip the home, learn how to keep pipes from freezing, and test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Stock supplies for several days without power, including medication and pet needs, and keep a car kit and a full tank of gas (Ready.gov).