Despite widespread warmer-than-usual weather and hazardous heatwaves across much of the nation, severe winter conditions are affecting millions of people in five distinct U.S. states.
Over the recent weekend, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued winter storm warnings or advisories covering regions within five U.S. states: Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Maine and New Hampshire
A winter storm warning has been issued by the NWS for areas of western Maine and northern New Hampshire, where 6 to 10 inches of snow are anticipated, leading to challenging travel and “dangerous driving conditions.”
“A snowstorm is anticipated to deliver plowable snow to the area, with moderate travel disruptions. The primary risks will be periods of moderate snow and reduced visibility. Moderate and heavy snowfall combined with poor visibility are expected to create hazardous driving conditions,” the NWS cautioned.
The advisory will be active from 2 a.m. Sunday until 2 a.m. Monday, with expectations of “heavy” snowfall.
New York and Vermont
A winter weather advisory has been issued by the NWS for portions of New York and Vermont, covering severe conditions anticipated from early Sunday morning through Monday morning.
Snowfall totals are projected to be between three and six inches, potentially causing difficulties for motorists, particularly if some of the precipitation freezes into ice on Sunday.
According to the NWS in its advisory, the peak snowfall is anticipated between 1 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Sunday. Furthermore, they mentioned that snow might occasionally transition to or mix with rain on Sunday, potentially reducing daytime accumulation.
The advisory encompasses New York’s Adirondack region and the area of Vermont extending eastward from the Green Mountains’ ridge. It commences at 8 p.m. Saturday evening and concludes at 8 a.m. on Monday.
The advisory warns that travel conditions could become highly challenging, potentially affecting the Monday morning commute due to hazardous weather.
Hawaii
Although Hawaii isn’t commonly associated with winter weather, its Big Island mountains do experience snowfall. As a Kona storm traversed the state over the weekend, causing severe flooding, these mountainous areas are forecast to get substantial snow.
On Saturday, the NWS communicated in its winter storm warning that a Kona storm was anticipated to bring substantial snow and strong winds to the mountain peaks, commencing that evening and persisting until Sunday afternoon.
The warning indicated predictions of “heavy” snowfall, with accumulations potentially reaching 10 inches, accompanied by winds up to 10 miles per hour.
The advisory went on to state that travel could range from very challenging to impossible, with blowing snow expected to drastically cut visibility at times, even leading to periods of no visibility.
Clearly, these conditions could affect individuals who had plans for hiking or trekking in the region.
Preparing for Winter Weather
If you frequently encounter harsh winter conditions and wish to be ready when they occur, various measures can be taken to ensure your safety and comfort during a winter storm.
We have compiled a comprehensive winter storm checklist, detailing all necessary information for optimal preparation for severe winter weather, including advice on winterizing your residence and assembling emergency kits for both your vehicle and home.
Primarily, it is advisable to prioritize safety and avoid these perilous conditions whenever feasible.
This article was first released by Men’s Journal on March 22, 2026, originally appearing in their News section. To designate Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source, click here.