Heavy Snow Warning As up to 5 Feet To Hit: 'Delay All Travel'

Michigan, Washington, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Idaho are likely to experience severe weather from Thursday through Friday.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:05am

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Warnings for heavy snow—up to 5 feet—and strong winds—reaching 100 mph in some areas—have been issued to five states as the National Weather Service (NWS) warns residents in affected states to "delay all travel." The storm is expected to last from Thursday through Saturday or Sunday in some cases.

Why it matters

The severe winter weather could lead to widespread power outages, dangerous driving conditions, and potential life-threatening situations, especially in remote mountain areas. State and local authorities are urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.

The details

The affected states include Michigan, Washington, Montana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Idaho. In Michigan, some areas could see up to 17 inches of snow and 50 mph winds. In Washington, the Cascades could get up to 3 feet of snow and 65 mph winds. Montana is expected to see up to 3 feet of snow and 100 mph winds along the Continental Divide. Wisconsin and Minnesota could get up to 8 inches of snow and 40-45 mph winds. Idaho's backcountry mountain areas could see up to 50 inches of snow.

  • The severe weather is expected to begin on Thursday and last through Friday, with some areas seeing conditions continue into Saturday or Sunday.

The players

National Weather Service (NWS)

The National Weather Service is the primary source for weather forecasting and warnings in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“delay all travel”

— National Weather Service (NWS)

What’s next

State and local authorities are urging residents in the affected areas to monitor weather forecasts closely, prepare for power outages, and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.

The takeaway

This severe winter storm has the potential to cause widespread disruption and dangerous conditions across several states. Residents should heed the warnings from the National Weather Service and take appropriate precautions to stay safe during the event.