A developing storm in the Plains and Upper Midwest is expected to deliver heavy snow and gusty winds across several states into Tuesday, with blizzard conditions possible in some areas.
The National Weather Service warned that travel in some areas would be hazardous and “near impossible at times” because of the storm, which may bring winds over 50 miles per hour.
The “vigorous storm” that will unfold in the Central and Northern Plains will develop overnight Sunday and bring sleet and freezing rain to parts of the region, the Weather Prediction Center said on Sunday.
“Power outages and tree damage are likely in some areas due to the heavy and wet snow combined with icing and strong winds,” it said.
Winter storm warnings were in effect on Sunday in Minnesota, eastern Montana, North Dakota, northwestern Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and parts of Colorado.
Snow may accumulate at one to two inches per hour in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Central Nebraska. The is a greater than 50 percent chance that snowfall will exceed a foot in northern and northeastern Minnesota, forecasters said.
There is a high chance that at least eight inches of snow will fall from northern Nebraska and central South Dakota to central Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, according to the Weather Service.
A blizzard warning was in effect for parts of Colorado starting at 6 p.m. on Sunday to 9 a.m. on Monday, and for most of central and western Nebraska starting at 1 a.m. on Monday until 7 a.m. on Tuesday. The Weather Service said that travel in these areas should be restricted to emergencies only.
The Weather Service in Omaha said that the Monday morning commute in eastern Nebraska would be hazardous because of reduced visibility from blowing snow and slick roads.
Thunderstorms and heavy rain were expected in Nebraska on Sunday before a transition to snow at night. Travel could be “very difficult to near impossible at times” from Sunday night into Monday morning, according to the Weather Service in North Platte, Neb.
Blizzard conditions were also possible over south-central South Dakota on Sunday night and Monday, the Weather Service said, and more than a foot of snow could fall in some parts of the state, forecasters said.
In Minnesota, forecasters warned of “treacherous travel conditions” in some parts of the state from Sunday into Tuesday because of the strong winds and heavy snowfall, which could exceed a foot. Blizzard conditions were expected on the north shore of Lake Superior on Monday.
In portions of the southern Plains, including parts of Oklahoma and Texas, there was a risk of wildfires because of the strong winds and dry weather. Critical fire warnings were in place in the area on Sunday.
This potent storm comes just after another storm brought several inches of snow from the Northern Plains to the Great Lakes on Friday and Saturday.
Rebecca Carballo contributed to this story.
