Quick Read
- National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings across U.S. West and Upper Midwest.
- Forecasts include 4-8 feet of snow in Sierra Nevada and 5-11 inches in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
- Wind gusts could reach over 100 mph in California’s High Sierra and 50 mph in Michigan.
- Officials warn of extreme whiteout conditions and impossible travel, especially in mountains and Upper Peninsula.
- Flash flood warnings were also issued for Los Angeles, with coastal flooding in San Francisco/Monterey Bay.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued widespread Winter Storm Warnings across significant portions of the U.S. West and Upper Midwest, forecasting extreme snowfall, powerful wind gusts, and treacherous travel conditions through Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Authorities are warning residents of the potential for extreme whiteout conditions and travel becoming impossible in several affected regions.
Powerful Pacific storm systems are primarily impacting western states, bringing heavy mountain snow measured in feet and drenching rains to lower elevations. Concurrently, a separate system is poised to deliver significant winter weather to parts of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Minnesota, with dangerous winds and blowing snow.
U.S. West Braces for Feet of Snow and Hurricane-Force Winds
California is bearing the brunt of the Pacific storms, with various weather alerts in effect, including critical Winter Storm Warnings for mountain areas. Forecasters are predicting an astounding 4 to 8 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada range, with the heaviest accumulation expected from Monday night through Tuesday. Snow levels are anticipated to drop to 4,000 feet, potentially leading to the closure of all Sierra passes, including multiple closures along Donner Pass on Interstate 80, according to AccuWeather.
Further east, Carson City and surrounding counties in Nevada have seen their Winter Storm Watch upgraded to a Warning. Valley floors could receive 4 to 8 inches of snowfall, while foothill areas above 5,000 feet may see 8 to 16 inches through Wednesday morning. These conditions will be compounded by strong and gusty winds, reaching up to 50 mph in Carson City and up to 60 mph in wind-prone locations. The greater Lake Tahoe area, Mono County, and the High Sierra are under a persistent Winter Storm Warning, with NWS predicting 3 to 5 feet of snow in the High Sierra and 1 to 3 feet in Sierra valleys, including Tahoe. Wind gusts along ridgetops are expected to exceed 100 mph, with valley locations experiencing 35-45 mph gusts and up to 65 mph in wind-prone areas. The combination of high snowfall rates and extreme winds is expected to create near-zero visibility in the Sierra, rendering travel exceptionally hazardous.
In Southern California, millions of residents in Los Angeles County faced flash flood warnings earlier in the week as the first storm system brought heavy rain, strong winds, and a risk of thunderstorms and tornadoes. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass urged caution, noting significant rainfall in a short period and the potential for mud and debris flows, especially in recent burn scar areas. Coastal flooding advisories were also in effect for the San Francisco Bay and Monterey Bay shorelines, with 1 to 1.5 feet of inundation possible in low-lying areas.
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Faces Whiteout Travel Threats
A separate powerful system has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a Winter Storm Warning for Keweenaw, Houghton, Baraga, and Marquette counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Valid from Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening, the warning anticipates total snow accumulations between 5 and 11 inches, with ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch. The highest snow accumulations are expected over the Keweenaw and in higher terrain areas.
The NWS explicitly warned that ‘Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility.’ Winds gusting as high as 50 mph, particularly over the Keweenaw, are expected to create extreme whiteout conditions, making Wednesday morning and evening commutes hazardous. Officials advise residents to prepare for possible power outages and to carry extra emergency supplies if travel is unavoidable. The weather service also highlighted that gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
Broader Winter Weather Impacts Across the Midwest
Further west in the Midwest, a winter storm is moving across Minnesota, following several unseasonably warm days. While not as severe as the Western or Upper Peninsula warnings, East winds could gust up to 40 mph across most of Minnesota and western Wisconsin on Tuesday. Spotty rain showers and even rumbles of thunder were possible Tuesday night, transitioning to snow in northern Minnesota on Wednesday. Northern regions could see 6 to 10 inches of wet, heavy snow, with lesser amounts in central and southern areas. Another low-pressure system is expected to bring additional accumulating snow to the Twin Cities region Thursday night into Friday, with temperatures dropping into the 20s by the weekend.
Crucial Travel Warnings and Safety Precautions
Across all affected regions, authorities are strongly advising against non-essential travel. The NWS in Sacramento, California, explicitly stated that ‘mountain travel is highly discouraged during this time.’ For those who must travel, the NWS recommends keeping an extra flashlight, food, and water in vehicles, sharing travel plans with family or friends, and preparing vehicles with essentials like a windshield scraper, jumper cables, and warm clothing. Drivers are urged to slow down, assume icy conditions exist, and never touch downed power lines.
While these hazardous winter storms pose immediate threats to safety and infrastructure, forecasters note that the significant precipitation is crucial for replenishing snowpack levels across the Western U.S., which had been running well below average due to a dry and warm pattern in early 2026.