By Brendan O’Brien

CHICAGO, (Reuters) – Two powerful winter storms are expected to dump snow in New England, the Midwest and the Southwest United States over Tuesday and the following days. They will cause havoc for road travel and improve ski conditions in Colorado.

The National Weather Service (NWS), warned that one system could bring snow accumulations exceedingly high and winds gusts up to 40 miles an hour in an area extending from California to Nevada to Colorado, Tuesday to Thursday.

The service stated that snow could accumulate up to 3 feet in some higher places in southwest Colorado over the coming days.

The NWS stated that hazardous conditions for travel were likely due to icy or snow-packed roads.

Kris Sanders, National Weather Service Grand Junction Meteorologist said that “a lot of these mountain communities are driven off ski industry so that they can handle it.”

Fresh snow is welcomed to ski resorts as well as by skiers. Although the snow season started slowly, it picked up after several storms in the New Year. The region didn’t get any significant snow in January.

This is very helpful. Sanders expressed his gratitude.

According to the National Weather Service, another system was moving through the Dakotas and Wisconsin into New England. Snow totals may reach up to 8 inches and wind gusts of 35 mph on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Many schools in Wisconsin and Minnesota were forced to cancel classes Tuesday due to the storm.

Forecasters warn that evening commuters will find it difficult to drive as the blowing snow makes roads slippery and decreases visibility.

In northern Texas and Oklahoma, ice was also predicted. Forecasters for New York warned that heavy rains could bring about flooding in an area from Alabama to Ohio.

The NWS stated that temperatures will drop to 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the Upper Mississippi Valley and the Northern Rockies. Some spots could see dangerously low readings.