Warnings of Snowstorm, Extreme Heat Issued for Different Parts of US

The NWS issued blizzard warnings for South Dakota and Minnesota, while Maine is expected to get 3 to 6 inches, and California faces potentially dangerous heat.

A man on cross-country skis travels through Central Park after a historic blizzard hit parts of the East Coast in New York City on Feb. 24, 2026. Ryan Murphy/Getty Images

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued several blizzard warnings Friday for parts of South Dakota and Minnesota, pointing toward a winter storm anticipated to bring widespread snow, blowing snow, and dangerous travel conditions over the weekend.

The federal agency’s nationwide blizzard warning page outlined multiple urgent winter weather messages from its Aberdeen office, all effective Saturday into Sunday.

One warning applies to Traverse, Big Stone, and Marshall counties in Minnesota and Roberts and Day counties in South Dakota.

In addition to heavy snow, widespread blowing snow, and the blizzard warning, the winter storm warning predicts wind gusts as high as 40 mph. Total snow accumulations for the event are expected to come in at between 10 and 15 inches.

“Travel could be very difficult,” the warning states. “Whiteout conditions will make travel extremely dangerous or impossible. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.”

The NWS also suggested precautionary actions.

“Travel should be restricted to emergencies only,” it stated. “If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle.”

Further alerts are in effect for Stanley, Hughes, Jones, Lyman, and Buffalo counties in South Dakota, noting a winter weather advisory ahead of blizzard conditions with gusts up to 40 mph and 3 to 5 inches of snow.

Additional warnings were issued for Faulk, Spink, Clark, Hyde, and Hand counties with 6 to 10 inches of snow and gusts to 50 mph, and McPherson, Brown, and Edmunds counties with 5 to 10 inches, while Codington, Grant, Hamlin, and Deuel counties should expect as much as 15 inches plus possible light ice.

The storm is expected to worsen Saturday afternoon, with blizzard conditions peaking Sunday morning.

On the East Coast, the NWS in Caribou extended a winter weather advisory Friday for parts of central and coastal Maine, warning of a snowstorm that could create travel difficulties Saturday.

The advisory covers an area 3 miles north of Archers Corners and spans multiple counties in the Penobscot Valley, Central Highlands, Coastal DownEast, Far Eastern, and Interior DownEast regions. It is in effect from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET Saturday.

Cities such as Bangor, Brewer, Old Town, Orono, Lincoln, Ellsworth, Bar Harbor, Bucksport, Machias, Greenville, Dover-Foxcroft, Calais, and Eastport are affected.

Extreme Heat Watch for California

In California, the NWS issued an extreme heat watch Friday for the Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills, warning residents of ongoing dangerously hot conditions, which are set to pick back up again Monday.

The urgent weather message applies to 6 miles west of Murrieta in Riverside County. Temperatures of up to 93 are possible.

“Early time of year and prolonged nature of this heat event will lead to increased risk of heat illness, especially for vulnerable populations and those without cooling systems,” the advisory states, noting conditions should be slightly cooler over the weekend.

Next week, temperatures will potentially approach 20 to 30 degrees above normal for the time of the year, making record-breaking heat likely.

The NWS advises residents to drink plenty of fluids, stay in air-conditioned rooms, out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. It also advises stocking up on extra water. The watch is in effect from Monday morning through Friday evening.