A travel nightmare is setting up from coast to coast as holiday travelers return

More snow is on the way for the region, with 1 to 3 inches possible at lower elevations this week — and more unseasonably cold temperatures to come.

The Sierra could again be measuring snow in feet, adding to an already impressive snowpack.

“The Sierra Nevada are expected to receive another 1 to 3 feet of snow with totals up to 3 feet possible in the highest elevations,” said the Weather Prediction Center.

While the snow is welcome in this drought-stricken region, it could make for dangerous conditions for the passes.

Even the Rockies will pick up 1 to 3 feet of snow. With the fresh snow and high winds, avalanches will be a huge concern. Avalanche warnings have been issues across portions of northern Colorado and Utah for backcountry skiers.

“Heavy dense snowfall and strong winds will likely create dangerous avalanche conditions. Both human-triggered and natural avalanches are likely. Stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees,” said the Utah Avalanche Center.

Snow, ice and rain

In the East, snow is falling from the Dakotas to the Northeast and will continue through the day.

While most of the snow will be relatively light, it could pile up in some locations, especially in Minnesota.

“Totals over 6 inches are possible in the Minnesota Arrowhead,” said the WPC.

Blizzard conditions are possible for portions of North Dakota and Minnesota, making for extremely dangerous travel and whiteout conditions.

Winds gusting as high as 45 mph at times, causing snow drifts to pile as deep as 5 feet, according to the National Weather Service office in Bismarck, North Dakota.

A wintry mix across portions of upstate New York and Pennsylvania will also make for dangerous conditions on the roads.

Accumulation should remain less than a quarter of an inch, but slick spots will easily develop on roads and bridges.

After this system, another one will impact many of the same regions on Tuesday into Wednesday.

The next system will bring another round of snow for parts of the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes.

Areas farther south will receive all rain. Most of the rain totals will stay under 2 inches. Some isolated locations could see more.

Contrasting temperatures from coast to coast

The coldest temperatures this week will be across the northern Plains, where many areas will struggle to get above zero.

Along with the cold will come strong winds, creating bitter wind chills.

“Blustery conditions will lead to dangerously cold wind chills ranging as low cold as -30 to -50 degrees, leading to the issuance of Wind Chill Warnings and Advisories,” said the WPC.