Warning Issued for 3 Feet of Snow as 'Powerful' Winter Storm Threatens 15 States

The United States has already been hit hard by severe winter weather this year, and as a new, powerful winter storm threatens a significant portion of the country, one prominent meteorologist is warning that some areas could expect as much as three feet of snow.

Earlier this week, the National Weather Service (NWS) began issuing winter storm warnings about a storm that is expected to impact at least 15 states around the country, bringing as much as 12 inches in some areas. However, it sounds like that estimate could very well be underselling the total snow accumulation.

NWS Issues Winter Storm Warning

On Friday, Dec. 26, the NWS began issuing what it described as "key messages" regarding a "powerful winter storm" projected to strike several parts of the country over the weekend.

The advisory warned that the storm is expected to produce "numerous weather hazards" from the Northern Plains and Great Lakes region into the Northeast from Sunday into Monday.

“Periods of heavy snow are anticipated across the Upper Great Lakes late Sunday and continuing into Monday. Lake-enhanced snow along Michigan’s Upper Peninsula will support over a foot of snow," the NWS warned in a post on X.

"Blowing snow is likely to cause whiteout conditions and treacherous travel across portions of the Upper Midwest & Great Lakes. Following a cold frontal passage on Monday, expect locally heavy lake effect snow for parts of Upstate New York and Northwest Pennsylvania.”

Up to 3 Feet of Snow

While the official advisory from the NWS warned of the possibility of "over a foot" of snow, one prominent meteorologist seems to think that the warning from the NWS is actually underselling the amount of accumulation possible in some parts of the country.

In a post on X, meteorologist Max Velocity warned that parts of Wisconsin and Michigan should prepare for not just one foot of snow, but two or three feet of snow accumulation in some areas.

"POWERFUL WINTER STORM is set to sweep across the Midwest, Great Lakes, and Ohio Valley on Sunday, with between 2-3 FEET of snow possible in parts of Wisconsin and Michigan!" Max Velocity wrote in a post on X.

"Significant snowfall is expected from Minnesota to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where a widespread 8"+ is possible. Severe weather is a concern for the Ohio Valley on Sunday, too."

Needless to say, anyone in those areas should be prepared to stay inside and limit travel.