Episode Details

Winter is making one more run at the country this weekend, with active Winter Storm Warnings in Alaska, accumulating snow across the Rockies and a sharp temperature crash heading for the eastern half of the United States.

Alaska Bracing for Up to 5 Feet of Snow

The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings across large stretches of Alaska, where snow totals could reach 58 inches by Monday. In the Eastern Alaska Range south of Trims Camp, the forecast calls for 8 to 16 inches of snow with wind gusts to 40 mph and blowing snow reducing visibility to near zero. The Richardson Highway from milepost 202 to 224 is directly in the path.

Along the Yukon Delta Coast, communities including Kotlik, Scammon Bay and Hooper Bay face 5 to 8 inches with gusts reaching 45 mph. The NWS warned that travel could be "very difficult," with wet snow on warm pavement creating refreeze hazards each night. The Winter Storm Watch runs through Monday morning.

Cold Storm Hits the Rockies

Meanwhile, a late-season Pacific system is delivering what AccuWeather is calling a "cold storm" across the western interior. Conditions feel more like early March than mid-April, with temperatures running 10 to 25 degrees below the historical average.

As the storm presses inland through Friday, several inches to a foot of snow will fall at intermediate elevations in Idaho, western Montana and northeastern Utah. Yellowstone National Park is forecast for 4 to 8 inches. Light accumulations are expected in Pocatello and Boise, Idaho, Great Falls, Montana and Salt Lake City.

The temperature swings are the real story for drivers. In eastern Wyoming, highs will drop from the 60s and near 70 on Thursday into the upper 20s and lower 30s on Friday. Colorado will spike into the 70s Thursday before crashing into the 30s Friday. Laramie, Cheyenne and Aspen could all see an inch or two of accumulation. Wet roads that freeze overnight are the primary hazard on mountain passes across the region.

The Weather Prediction Center is also tracking snow squalls and convective bands across Utah and Wyoming, with the heaviest terrain-focused snow shifting over Colorado through Friday. A follow-up system is expected to reach the West Coast by Sunday, bringing another round of rain and mountain snow.

Midwest and Northeast Temperature Crash

The same pattern change will hammer the eastern half of the country. Highs in the 70s, 80s and even 90s that have been baking the East Coast all week will be replaced by readings in the 30s, 40s and 50s within one to two days.

In northern New York and northwestern New England, the cold air may arrive quickly enough on Sunday for rain to briefly mix with or change to snow. Late-season light snowfall is also expected over the Upper Great Lakes and Upper Mississippi Valley from Saturday into Sunday. If your vehicle is not set up for a sudden return to winter conditions, Autoblog's winter car readiness checklist is worth reviewing before you head out this weekend.