Prepare For Holiday Weekend Travel Chaos: Winter Storm Warnings with 5-24 Inches Tracking Toward 4 States
Traditionally, the weekend before Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been a very busy travel period. In January 2024, the then U.S. Transportation Secretary posted on X warning air travelers to give themselves "plenty of time" and to "check out passenger protection info" due to how hectic things were expected to be.
This upcoming holiday weekend is set to be complicated for some due to heavy snow systems that are expected to affect cities in four states. When traveling by vehicle in those kinds of conditions, there are several things people can do to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other people on the road.
Alaska, New York, Indiana, and Michigan Are Forecasted to Face Winter Storms Into the Holiday Weekend
On January 14, 2026, a series of National Weather Service winter storm warnings alerted the public about poor weather conditions that could affect four states going into the holiday weekend.
New York:
A National Weather Service winter storm warning affecting New York has called for northern Wayne, Cayuga, and Monroe Counties to face five to 10 inches of snow between now and Friday of the long weekend. The cities of Rochester, Niagara Falls, Medina, Buffalo, and Batavia are set to be hit with the same amount, but the city of Oswego is expected to deal with six to 12 inches of snow. Buffalo is also forecasted to continue to deal with winter weather until Tuesday, the 20th.
Indiana & Michigan:
Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan are forecast to be hit by five to 18 inches of snow before Thursday. Then, both regions are likely to face lake effect snow conditions as the weekend continues, including on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Those effects will include wind chills and temperatures below zero. Winter conditions are then expected to last until the 20th as well.
Alaska:
The Alaskan cities of Talkeetna, Skwentna, Denali Highway, Trapper Creek, Broad Pass, Petersville, and Chulitna are facing the worst weather conditions of all as 12 to 24 inches of snow, freezing rain, and rain are expected.
How Best to Travel Safely in Winter Storm Conditions
While staying off the roads in winter storm weather is advisable, that isn't always possible. In such cases, Men's Journal's automotive writer, Brian Iselin, offers invaluable advice for anyone driving in snow that makes visibility difficult. If you spot a snow band in front of you, Iselin advises you to slow down, stay off cruise control, and turn your headlights on, making sure you aren't using your hazards. If your vehicle starts sliding, he cautions against jerking the wheel or slamming on the brakes. Instead, he suggests pressing the brakes firmly if you have anti-lock brakes. Most importantly, Iselin especially emphasizes that you shouldn't stop in the travel lane as parked vehicles become a target. If you need to pull over, please make sure you are completely off the roadway.
The final piece of advice that Iselin gives readers about driving in winter storm conditions is to prepare by putting together a safety kit. A separate Men's Journal article citing advice from the Canadian Automobile Association states that the following items combined make an effective winter travel safety kit:
- Flashlight (preferably crank-type, because batteries don’t last long in extreme cold)
- Reflective safety triangles or flares
- Small first-aid kit
- Snow brush and scraper
- Traction aids
- Small shovel with long handle
- Bag of abrasive material: sand, kitty litter (avoid road salt, which can cause your vehicle to rust)
- Plenty of windshield washer fluid
- Booster cables
- Gas-line antifreeze
- Lock de-icer (in extreme cold, keep it with you, rather than in your vehicle!)
- Paper towels
- Small tool kit (screwdriver, pliers, etc.)
- Extra fuses (for the vehicle’s electrical system)
- Warm blanket
- Extra socks, boots and gloves
- Hand and foot warmers
- Bottles of water
- Granola bars