US Winter Storms: 18 Million Under Alerts as Heavy Snow and Flooding Threaten the West and Midwest

A severe winter weather alert has been issued for over 18 million people in the US, as a series of storms bring heavy snow, biting wind chills, and a flood threat to the West and Midwest. According to the National Weather Service, the storms have already begun to dump heavy snow on the Northern Rockies, with higher elevations expected to receive over a foot of snow by Saturday. The snow is forecast to spread to the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with parts of South Dakota, northwest Illinois, and Chicago expected to receive 4-6 inches of snow. The cold outbreak that follows could send temperatures plummeting below zero across parts of the Dakotas and Minnesota by Sunday night into Monday. In addition to the snow, another round of snow is expected to hit the metro region and southern Minnesota on Saturday afternoon, accompanied by bitter temperatures. The National Weather Service has projected moderate to heavy snow over parts of the upper and middle Mississippi Valley on Saturday night, with winter storm warnings and advisories in effect across Colorado. The Pacific Northwest is also bracing for a series of incoming Pacific systems, which could bring widespread heavy rain to western Washington and Oregon, triggering flash flooding due to saturated soil. While flood watches are in place, forecasters warn that the heavy rain threat could persist for 5-10 days. As the storms continue to move across the country, residents are advised to stay informed and take necessary precautions to stay safe. With over 18 million people under winter weather alerts, the situation is being closely monitored by authorities, and residents are urged to exercise caution and follow local guidelines to stay safe.