Blizzard Warning
ExtremeBLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM AKST SUNDAY
2 blizzard warnings are in effect right now for parts of Alaska.
Strong winds and snow will cut visibility to near zero for hours. Travel will be extremely dangerous.
Updated from the National Weather Service ยท lists refresh hourly; the live map loads current alerts directly from the NWS
BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM AKST SUNDAY
BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM AKST SUNDAY
A blizzard warning is about wind and visibility, not snowfall totals. It is issued when sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more combine with falling or blowing snow to reduce visibility to under a quarter mile for at least three hours. Whiteout conditions can strand drivers in minutes, and wind chills during blizzards are often dangerous.
From 2016 through 2025 the National Weather Service issued an average of 109 blizzard warnings per year across the country, and 97 so far in 2026. Each count is one alert event, which can cover one or many counties.
| State | Average per year |
|---|---|
| Alaska | 43.1 |
| Minnesota | 14.4 |
| North Dakota | 8.9 |
| Nebraska | 8.9 |
| South Dakota | 8.5 |
| Montana | 6.9 |
| Iowa | 5.8 |
| Wyoming | 5.4 |
| Kansas | 5.2 |
| Colorado | 4.8 |
| Wisconsin | 2.2 |
| Michigan | 2.1 |
| New York | 2.1 |
| California | 2 |
| Maine | 1.4 |
No. A blizzard is defined by wind of 35 mph or more and visibility under a quarter mile for three hours or longer; blowing old snow can create blizzard conditions.