Winter Storm Map Shows States Bracing For 20 Inches of Snow

Over the past several weeks, parts of the United States have been hit with some severe winter weather as winter storms have brought heavy snow, strong winds, and bitterly cold temperatures to some areas of the country. Now, as the New Year rolls in, another storm is coming.

On Wednesday morning, the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter storm warning for parts of the Great Lakes region and the Northeast for a winter storm that is predicted to bring up to several feet of snow in some areas of the country.

Winter Storm Warning

In a new alert, the NWS warned of “heavy snow” and strong winds for parts of the Great Lakes region and the Northeast, which was expected to make driving conditions especially difficult and dangerous for travelers.

The NWS warned of 6 to 9 inches of widespread snow throughout the region. However, some areas are expected to receive considerably more snow than that.

The winter storm warning was in effect for the area from Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m. until 10 a.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 1. However, the NWS warns that snow could continue in some areas until Jan. 3, bringing massive amounts of accumulation.

Map Shows States Hit the Hardest

While the storm is expected to hit at least 15 states throughout the Great Lakes region and the Northeast, some states will receive much more accumulation than others.

A winter storm map published by the NWS this week shows three states bracing for what could be several feet of snow over the next several days: Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Lake effect snow will continue through Friday bringing significant snowfall to areas east to southeast of the Great Lakes. Additional snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet is forecast, with locally higher amounts of 3 feet or more possible within the heaviest snow bands over the next… pic.twitter.com/K4LsJO5ppI

— National Weather Service (@NWS) December 31, 2025

The map shows northwestern Pennsylvania, northeast Ohio, and northern New York with the most projected snow, with parts of those areas expected to receive over a foot of snow.

The area between Erie, Pennsylvania, and Buffalo, New York, is expected to receive up to 24 inches of snow, while the area around Watertown, New York, is expected to receive up to 30 inches of snow.

"Lake effect snow will continue through Friday bringing significant snowfall to areas east to southeast of the Great Lakes. Additional snowfall totals of 1 to 2 feet is forecast, with locally higher amounts of 3 feet or more possible within the heaviest snow bands over the next couple of days," the NWS warned.

Needless to say, it sounds like people in those areas can expect some heavy snow to ring in the New Year.