Experts Warn of Deadly Weather Pattern in U.S.
A man has died and two children were critically injured in Idaho after heavy winds and extreme cold. The casualties were brought on by severe inclement weather, including oppressive wind gusts.
The man died in Fernan Lake Village, Idaho - a small town that sits outside of Coeur d'Alene. Police say a tree fell on a home where the 55-year-old man was sleeping, and the tree struck his bed. Others in the home were able to be evacuated safely.
The children were injured in Twin Falls County, when high winds caused "several old, internally rotten trees to fall, knocking down power lines," according to the local sheriff's office. Deputies in Twin Falls responded to more than 20 weather-related incidents, including downed power lines and trees in the area.
How Did The Weather Pattern Originate?
Experts say that weather system originated in the Northwest, and that it is now moving eastward. Those in its path are expected to lose power and suffer damage to buildings and structures, but it's clear that the high winds and extreme cold also pose a general health risk.
AccuWeather reported wind gusts of over 100 miles per hour in certain places on December 17, the day that the death and injuries were reported in Idaho. Nearly 80 million Americans are currently under wind advisories in the midwest and northeast, and that number increases exponentially when those living in the center of the country are considered.
The National Weather Service's forecast for December 18 shows that wind gusts between 50 and 80 miles per hour are possible across the Plains and Central Rockies. The Northern Plains are at greater risk for inclement weather, as a low-pressure system is set to bring light to moderate snow.
High winds can make driving dangerous. If driving during windy conditions, slow down and keep two hands on the wheel, avoid large trucks and trailers, and watch for downed tree branches, trees and power lines. Bridges and overpasses can be particularly dangerous to drive over… pic.twitter.com/RgpN9NYbM2
— National Weather Service (@NWS) December 18, 2025
Dangerous Weather Continues to Move East
When combined with the abnormally high winds, the precipitation can produce whiteout conditions - reduced visibility and a heightened level of caution. The high winds are dangerous for both motorists and pedestrians, posing a higher risk to large vehicles like trucks that could have difficulty controlling their weight.
The storm system is set to move even further east, where it's set to bring wind gusts up to and possibly in excess of 60 miles per hour. In certain parts of the country, heavy rain and lake-effect snow are possible.
New York governor Kathy Hochul's office said earlier this week that some areas of the state could receive up to three feet of snow over the weekend. State residents are urged to follow all safety recommendations, and some will likely be restricted to essential travel out of an abundance of caution when the snow begins.