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Winter weather is forecast across seven US states as falling temperatures bring snow to parts of the Rockies and Northern Plains, while a separate storm threatens Alaska with heavy accumulation, strong winds and dangerous travel conditions.
Alaska faces the most severe winter weather, with National Weather Service (NWS) warnings extending into Monday night. Snowfall in parts of the Brooks Range could reach 16 inches, while wind gusts near Atigun Pass may approach 55 mph, creating blowing snow and sharply reduced visibility.
- Seven US states face early-season winter weather on October 26, with Alaska forecast to receive up to 16 inches of snow and wind gusts reaching 55 mph.
- A slow-moving storm could bring 1-3 inches of rain to parts of the Northern Plains, with wet snow possible across higher elevations of South Dakota’s Black Hills.
- More than 2 mn people were under flood alerts across parts of the Southwest on Sunday, while forecasters warned of potentially hazardous travel conditions in Alaska and the Rockies.
Farther south, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota face varying prospects for early-season snowfall as colder air moves into the region.
A slow-moving storm is expected to bring several days of precipitation to the Northern Plains. Forecasters anticipate substantial rainfall across portions of the Dakotas and neighboring states, with wet snow possible at higher elevations.
The immediate risks vary considerably by location. Alaska faces significant snowfall and potentially dangerous mountain travel, while the Northern Plains could experience prolonged rain, localized slushy conditions and limited snow accumulation outside higher terrain.
Northern Plains storm could bring 1-3 inches of rain
The developing storm is expected to move northward from the central Rockies and High Plains, but a strong area of high pressure over Canada will limit its ability to move away quickly.
According to the FOX Forecast Center, this atmospheric pattern could allow rain to persist across parts of the Northern Plains as colder air enters the region.
Western South Dakota, western Nebraska, eastern Wyoming and portions of central North Dakota could receive 1-3 inches of rain.
The prolonged precipitation is expected to be the principal weather concern across much of the region, although temperatures could become cold enough for some rain to change to snow.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Weather Prediction Center has identified the Black Hills, northwestern South Dakota and south-central North Dakota as areas where snow could accumulate Monday.
Accumulation will depend heavily on elevation, ground temperatures and the timing of precipitation.
Snow falling during warmer daylight hours may struggle to settle, particularly on roads and other exposed surfaces. Precipitation arriving before sunrise or after sunset has a greater chance of producing measurable accumulation.
These temperature differences mean mountain communities could experience materially different conditions from nearby lower-elevation cities.
Black Hills could receive several inches of wet snow
Higher elevations of South Dakota’s Black Hills are among the locations most likely to receive accumulating snow.
- The FOX Forecast Center said several inches of wet, slushy snow could develop above approximately 5,000-5,500 feet, particularly on grassy surfaces and elevated terrain.
- AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bob Smerbeck previously warned that several inches could accumulate in the Black Hills, with the possibility of slushy conditions around Rapid City.
- The NWS forecast for Rapid City itself is considerably less severe, projecting less than half an inch of snow Monday.
Around the city and its surrounding foothills, rain could briefly mix with wet snow. Temperatures near the ground are expected to remain sufficiently warm to prevent significant accumulation.
Roads may become wet or temporarily slushy, but substantial snowfall is not expected within Rapid City.
The distinction between higher elevations and nearby urban areas is important for travel planning. Forecast totals for mountain locations should not be interpreted as expected accumulation across an entire region.
Motorists traveling into the Black Hills could encounter conditions that differ from those in lower-elevation communities, particularly where colder temperatures allow wet snow to accumulate.
Alaska faces up to 16 inches of snow and 55 mph winds
Alaska faces a more serious winter weather threat, with heavy snowfall and strong winds expected across parts of the central Brooks Range.
The NWS office in Fairbanks has warned that the southern slopes of the central Brooks Range could receive between 8 and 16 inches of snow, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 35 mph.
A separate advisory for Atigun Pass calls for 3-6 inches of snow and substantially stronger winds, with gusts reaching 55 mph.
Although the expected snowfall total at Atigun Pass is lower than across the southern slopes, the combination of wind and snow could create particularly difficult driving conditions.
These conditions could pose significant hazards along mountain routes, including Alaska’s Dalton Highway.
Blowing snow can restrict visibility even where accumulation is lower than in surrounding areas, making wind speeds an important consideration alongside snowfall forecasts.
Warnings for affected areas extend into Monday night, and motorists are advised to consult current NWS alerts and Alaska highway information before traveling.
Flood alerts remain in place across the Southwest
The Northern Plains and Alaska are not the only regions facing weather-related disruption.
More than 2 mn people were under some form of flood alert on Sunday across New Mexico, Colorado and parts of Texas and Utah.
The alerts followed severe weather affecting portions of the Southwest, where heavy rainfall has created flooding concerns.
Farther south, rain could continue across West Texas as the broader storm system moves away from the region.
Forecasters identified a Level 1 out of 4 minor flash flood threat for West Texas, indicating that localized flooding remained possible.
The Northern Plains, however, are expected to be the principal area of concern Monday as the slow-moving system produces persistent rain and introduces the possibility of early-season snowfall.
The forecast presents different hazards across affected areas, from heavy rainfall and potential flooding to wet roads, accumulating mountain snow and reduced visibility.
Travel conditions depend on elevation and snowfall timing
For motorists, the most immediate concern is how precipitation affects road conditions rather than the highest snowfall total reported across a forecast region.
In the Northern Plains, temperatures near the freezing point could produce rain, wet snow or a combination of both, depending on location and elevation.
Higher terrain in the Black Hills has a greater likelihood of accumulating snow, while lower elevations around Rapid City are expected to experience predominantly wet conditions with little lasting accumulation.
Alaska presents a different risk. Heavy snowfall across the Brooks Range, combined with strong winds near Atigun Pass, could make travel difficult and reduce visibility to less than a quarter of a mile in some areas.
Drivers should review the latest NWS warnings and state transportation reports before departing, particularly when traveling through mountain passes or along Alaska’s Dalton Highway.
Forecast conditions may also change as the storms develop, especially where temperatures are close to the threshold separating rain from snow.
The NWS and regional forecast centers will continue updating snowfall expectations, precipitation amounts and travel advisories as the weather systems move through Alaska, the Rockies and Northern Plains.
