Dangerous winter weather spread in patches across the country on Wednesday, as the nation prepares for snow to stretch from the Midwest to Maine later this week.
Winter storm conditions on Wednesday impacted swaths of the Plains and Midwest, while heavy snow could continue to fall in the Western states with more than 2 feet of flakes possible.
California, which has seen blizzard conditions in recent days, is expecting a freeze warning on Wednesday and Thursday in the center of the state, while a winter storm warning remains in effect until Wednesday night in southern California.
Here’s what you need to know about Wednesday’s winter weather:
Winter storm conditions stretch across Dakotas, Midwest
A winter storm warning is in effect Wednesday in parts of Minnesota and North Dakota. Heavy snow of up to 9 inches is expected, and winds could gust up to 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Meanwhile, a winter weather advisory stretched from Montana to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Wednesday – and into Thursday in some areas.
Snow of up to 6 inches was possible in parts of Minnesota.
The wintry conditions come after a winter storm warning hit parts of the Northeast this week, including Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
Western states could see two feet of snow
A winter storm warning covered parts of Arizona, Nevada Utah and Colorado on Wednesday.
Snow accumulations of one to two feet are possible along mountains in Colorado and Utah, according to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction, Colorado. Higher amounts are possible in some areas, and wind gusts of up to 45 mph are also expected.
Officials warned that, if people must travel, they should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in their vehicle.
California sees freeze warning
A freeze warning was in effect in parts of central California on Wednesday morning, with frost and freeze expected to kill crops and potentially damage outdoor plumbing.
“To prevent freezing and possible bursting of outdoor water pipes they should be wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly,” the National Weather Service in California warned.
The frigid conditions come as winter weather hit the Golden State earlier this week, with the Greater Lake Tahoe Area and Mono County under a blizzard warning into Tuesday. Snow accumulations of up to three feet were possible for the area.