National Weather Service Issues New 'Urgent' Warning as 24 Inches of Snow Approach

It's been a strong winter for parts of the country already, with heavy snow and bitterly cold temperatures sweeping across the country over the past several weeks. Now, as we get ready to ring in the New Year, some potentially dangerous conditions are moving through parts of the country.

As many people in the Great Lakes and Northeast prepare for New Year's celebrations, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued what it has described as an "urgent" winter storm warning that included information about some hazards that this latest winter storm could cause.

Winter Storm Warning

The NWS issued an "urgent" winter storm warning early Wednesday morning, warning of “heavy” snow and strong winds for parts of the Great Lakes and Northeast regions of the country.

“Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 9 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. Snow squall conditions will be possible during the evening and overnight,” the NWS said in its winter storm warning.

The storm is expected to bring as much as 24 inches of snow to parts of northeast Ohio, northwestern Pennsylvania, and northern New York.

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, stretching through a period when many may be traveling for New Year's celebrations.

Squall Warning

As the winter storm approaches, the NWS issued a warning about squalls that could cause hazards for drivers.

Often associated with a cold front, a snow squall is a sudden, intense, and short-lived burst of heavy snow and strong winds, creating dangerous whiteout conditions that make it difficult for drivers to see. Those conditions, combined with slick roads can quickly create a dangerous situation for drivers.

"A strong Arctic cold front will cross the Great Lakes on New Year's Eve and the Northeast
EST overnight likely producing snow squalls. Snow squalls are accompanied by gusty winds and rapidly reduced visibilities, which can lead to chain-reaction accidents for motorists," the NWS warned in a post on X.

Snow squalls may result in hazardous driving conditions across the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley, and Northeast on New Year's Eve (tomorrow) during the evening and overnight hours. This is in addition to heavy lake effect snow and light snow throughout the region over the next few… pic.twitter.com/zFPeO1K7tx

— National Weather Service (@NWS) December 30, 2025

The NWS said that these conditions are most likely in parts of Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York and warned that they could line up with New Year's Eve celebrations on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.

"These snow squalls will most likely be along the Arctic cold front as it crosses the Lower Great Lakes late Wednesday afternoon into the evening hours. The threat then stretches from the Ohio Valley through the interior Northeast during the overnight hours. This timing looks to coincide with New Year's Eve celebrations," the NWS wrote.

Needless to say, it's important for travelers to take extra care when traveling in these conditions.