Summary (tl;dr)

Winter storm warnings are currently active across six U.S. states, with forecasts predicting heavy snowfall, strong winds, and dangerous travel conditions through December 8, 2025.

Essential Background

The onset of winter frequently brings hazardous weather to various U.S. regions, including the Midwest, Northeast, Rocky Mountains, and Alaska, often characterized by heavy snowfall, powerful winds, and freezing temperatures that can disrupt travel and cause power outages. Earlier this week, a cold spell and a storm system had already delivered significant snowfall to parts of Colorado, Wyoming, and Wisconsin, setting the stage for the current wave of severe winter weather.

The Full Story

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued urgent winter storm warnings for six states: Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, effective from Sunday, December 7, through Monday, December 8, 2025. Forecasts indicate that some areas could receive up to 20 inches of snow, accompanied by wind gusts reaching 65 mph. Alaska is expected to face the most severe conditions, with Hyder potentially seeing 16 to 20 inches of snow, while Skagway, Haines Borough, and Klukwan could experience 12 to 18 inches along with winds up to 50 mph. In the Midwest, Iowa and Wisconsin are bracing for slippery and snow-covered roads as the storm moves eastward, with heavy snowfall anticipated in areas like Clayton and Grant Counties. Wyoming's Sierra Madre and Snowy Ranges are under warnings for 5 to 10 inches of snow and gusts up to 65 mph, with authorities cautioning about "life-threatening" outdoor conditions for those unprepared. Illinois, particularly Carroll and Whiteside Counties, is also preparing for slippery roads due to heavy snowfall. Meanwhile, Colorado's Elkhead and Park Mountains are expected to receive up to 3 inches of snow and wind gusts.

Why It Matters

These widespread winter storm warnings are critical due to the potential for "life-threatening" conditions resulting from heavy snowfall, strong winds, and dangerously low temperatures. The severe weather is expected to create extremely hazardous travel conditions, significantly reduce visibility, and lead to rapidly changing road conditions, prompting officials to advise against unnecessary travel. Furthermore, record-cold temperatures are anticipated across the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Mid-Atlantic regions, heightening the risks of frostbite, hypothermia, and potential power outages. The broad impact of this storm system could disrupt daily life, transportation, and essential services across the affected states.

Geographic Location

• Hyder, Alaska, United States (expected 16-20 inches of snow)
• Skagway, Haines Borough, Alaska, United States (expected 12-18 inches of snow, winds up to 50 mph, cold wind chills near White Pass)
• Haines Borough, Alaska, United States (expected 12-18 inches of snow, winds up to 50 mph)
• Klukwan, Alaska, United States (expected 12-18 inches of snow, winds up to 50 mph)
• Glacier Bay, Alaska, United States (expected 10-20 inches of snow, 40 mph winds)
• Elfin Cove, Alaska, United States (expected 8-12 inches of snow)
• Pelican, Alaska, United States (expected 8-12 inches of snow)
• Kake, Alaska, United States (expected 3-5 inches of snow, winds over 40 mph)
• Port Alexander, Alaska, United States (expected 3-5 inches of snow, winds over 40 mph)
• Elkhead Mountains, Colorado, United States (up to 3 inches of snow, 35 mph wind gusts, hazardous travel)
• Park Mountains, Colorado, United States (up to 3 inches of snow, 35 mph wind gusts, hazardous travel)
• Sawatch Range, Colorado, United States (winter storm warnings)
• Mosquito Range, Colorado, United States (winter storm warnings)
• Gore Range, Colorado, United States (winter storm warnings)
• Elk Range, Colorado, United States (winter storm warnings)
• Flat Tops Range, Colorado, United States (winter storm warnings)
• Rabbit Ears Pass region, Colorado, United States (advisory transitioning to storm warning, 6-12 inches snow forecast)
• Carroll County, Illinois, United States (slippery road conditions from heavy snowfall)
• Whiteside County, Illinois, United States (slippery road conditions from heavy snowfall)
• Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States (trace amounts of snow, flight disruptions reported earlier)
• Floyd County, Iowa, United States (heavy snowfall, slippery road conditions)
• Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States (heavy snowfall, slippery road conditions)
• Fayette County, Iowa, United States (heavy snowfall, slippery road conditions)
• Dysart, Iowa, United States (hazardous travel conditions)
• Iowa Falls, Iowa, United States (hazardous travel conditions)
• Gladbrook, Iowa, United States (hazardous travel conditions)
• Northeast Iowa, Iowa, United States (slippery and snow covered roads)
• Grant County, Wisconsin, United States (heaviest falls of snow, slippery road conditions)
• La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin, United States (NWS office reported snow moving east)
• Southwest Wisconsin, Wisconsin, United States (slippery and snow covered roads)
• Sierra Madre Range, Wyoming, United States (5-10 inches of snow, 65 mph gusts, life-threatening outdoors)
• Snowy Range, Wyoming, United States (5-10 inches of snow, 65 mph gusts, life-threatening outdoors)
• Teton Mountains, Wyoming, United States (up to 10 inches of snow)
• Gros Ventre Mountains, Wyoming, United States (up to 10 inches of snow)