Winter storm: 200K Californians without power, Minnesota and other Midwest states pummeled by snow

The coast-to-coast winter storm has already begun impacting millions of Americans with high winds leaving nearly 200,000 Californians without power and heavy snow and rain pummeling residents from coast to coast.

As of Tuesday evening, more than 60 million people across nearly 30 states were under winter weather watches or warnings, primarily in the northern and eastern states which are slated to be hit by inches of rain, snow, ice, and flash flooding. 

Heavy snow in Minnesota stopped drivers on highways while blizzard conditions to the west in Montana dropped nearly three feet of precipitation in a matter of hours.  

On the West Coast, one climate scientist told the LA Times most California residents will be able to see snow from the storm in what he described as a 'very unusual event' which has also brought winds up to 80 miles per hour. 

'Just about everybody who lives in California will probably be able to see snow, at least on the nearby hills — and, in most cases, in the very nearby hills — probably on Friday morning,' said UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said.

As of Tuesday evening, more than 60 million people across nearly 30 states were under winter weather watches or warnings, primarily in the northern and eastern states 

Snow begins to fall around the Cathedral of Saint Paul, on Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota

Officials with the Utah Department of Transportation asked citizens to consider staying off the roads Wednesday due to heavy snow 

The 2,000 mile wide storm is expected to make travel impossible in some areas, particularly regions of Minnesota and cities along the Rockies.

The National Weather Service issued winter storm, blizzard and high-wind advisories for a broad swath of the western and north-central United States. 

Up to two feet of snow and winds of up to 60 miles per hour were expected in some spots from Tuesday through Thursday.

Snow falling at a rate of two inches an hour and gusty winds will make travel conditions treacherous and perhaps impossible in parts of the Northern Plains and the Upper Midwest, the service said in its forecast.

'Snowplow crews will be out working statewide, but this storm could be a doozy,' the Minnesota Department of Transportation said in a tweet.

According to meteorologists, the extreme weather is the result of winter fronts pulling cold air from the north. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, roughly one foot of snow had already fallen in northern Minnesota, with some experts predicting Minneapolis could be placed under a blizzard warning. 

A monster winter storm took aim at the Upper Midwest on Tuesday, threatening to bring blizzard conditions and bitter-cold temperatures to several states 

Vehicles drive in downtown Minneapolis as snow falls, Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Rush hour traffic travels southbound on Interstate 35W in Minneapolis as a winter storm hit

The 2,000 mile wide storm is expected to make travel impossible in some areas, particularly regions of Minnesota and cities along the Rockies 

Vehicles pass a sign that reads "WINTER STORM WARNING STARTS AT 3PM" along Interstate Highway 35 near the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

According to federal forecasters cities in the eye of the storm could see treacherous travel conditions, whiteout conditions, power outages, and ice accumulation. 

The cities most likely to experience the brunt of the storm include Chicago; Detroit; Hartford, Connecticut; Des Moines, Iowa; Madison, Wisconsin; Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Buffalo and Albany, New York.

In more northern states like Montana, temperatures are expected to drop below -15F.

The temperatures are in addition to the snow that already hit the northern Rockies and High Plains states, which include Montana and North and South Dakota. 

The severe weather is expected to hit central states, as well. 

Some eight million people from Missouri to Oklahoma and Texas are facing storms with forecasters warning of hail, high winds, and even tornados. 

Oklahoma City and Tulsa will be the cities most at risk for damaging winds due to very fast-moving storms.

In northern Utah, several school districts opted to cancel classes Wednesday as the state already seeing massive amounts of snow. 

'We're out here prepping, and we're asking you to stay safe and consider staying off the roads Wednesday morning,' the Utah Department of Transportation tweeted Tuesday. 

Pedestrians stand as snow falls around them ahead of a winter storm on Tuesday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

A man brushes snow from his vehicle in downtown Bismarck, North Dakota on Tuesday

A group packs in equipment to the Gold Basin Yurt in the La Sal Mountains. Ski Touring near Moab, Utah

Further west, Californians began seeing high winds and rainy conditions Monday evening and throughout the day Tuesday. 

A total of three fronts started moving into the state along with the chance of snow in the northern and southern parts of the Golden State. 

Mountain peaks in Los Angeles County could see up to four inches of snow and traffic disruptions along the Grapevine should be anticipated, meteorologists have warned. 

The snow is so unprecedented one National Weather Service meteorologist described the situation as historic.  

'It’s quite remarkable to see something like this in Southern California,' NWS senior meteorologist Alex Tardy said. 

As much of the country deals with the rain, snow, and high wind gusts, millions of Americans in the southeast region are experiencing record-breaking high temps 

As much of the country deals with the rain, snow, and high wind gusts, millions of Americans in the southeast region are experiencing record-breaking high temps. 

Florida is expected to break several records for heat on Thursday, with forecasters predicting temps upward of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

If the Sunshine State hits 91 degrees, the record for the highest February temperature- previously set at 90 degrees in 1962- would officially be broken.

The heat is caused by a high-pressure front that will cause Florida and parts of the Southeast to heat up drastically.