NWS Warns 10-Plus U.S. States About New Year's Eve Snowstorm

If the latest forecasts are correct, several areas of the country may be getting heavy snow with their champagne toasts on New Year's Eve.

The National Weather Service said Tuesday for residents of at least a dozen U.S. states to be on the alert for "a multi-day heavy lake effect snow" that will run through tomorrow morning.

"A multi-day heavy lake effect snow event is expected downwind of Lakes Erie and Ontario through New Year's Day," the NWS tweet reads. "There is increasing confidence in snow squalls causing bursts of snow & gusty winds on New Year's Eve."

Multiple regions are impacted

According to the graphic included in the tweet, this alert covers parts of the Great Lakes, Northeast, New England and more.

States that may potentially be impacted include Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.

This particular weather advisory is in effect from 7 a.m. ET today until 7 a.m. ET Wednesday morning.

Other warnings in place into the new year

According to the official NWS website, parts of Western New York are under a "Winter Storm Warning" into Thursday, Friday or Saturday, with up to four feet of snow and winds up to 40 mph projected in some areas.

"Whiteout conditions are expected to continue tonight into Wednesday and will make travel treacherous," the NWS said. "Travel will remain very difficult with hazardous conditions from lake effect snow continuing to impact travel through the week."

Elsewhere, a "Winter Storm Warning" is in place for portions of Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia through Thursday morning, after the calendar has flipped to 2026.

There won't be as much snow as in New York state--only 4 to 9 inches, depending on location--but winds will reach upwards of 50 mph and travel will be "very difficult."

"Visibilities may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow," says one part of the storm warning. "Near-blizzard conditions are expected at times, and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel will be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes. The combination of gusty winds and heavy snowfall could bring down trees and powerlines, potentially resulting in numerous power outages."