Winter storm watches in forecast for Plains, high wind advisory covers South: US weather updates

Wednesday updates: Read the latest weather news here.

Though parts of the United States have been treated to a peek at spring weather in recent weeks, winter storm watches, wind advisories and other brutal weather is still hitting swaths of the country on Tuesday.

Winter storm watches are set to impact states in the Plains, Midwest and West, including Minnesota and the Dakotas as well as Colorado, Kansas and other western states.

And a wind advisory is stretching over a dozen states from Texas to Indiana on Tuesday, with a high wind warning in effect in parts of Missouri, Illinois, and Kentucky. Winds could reach up to 60 miles per hour, potentially prompting power outages and complicating travel.

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Winter storm watches hit Plains, Midwest, Western states

A winter storm watch is in effect from Tuesday afternoon and evening though Wednesday in Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico, bringing snow and wind gusts.

Snow accumulation of up to 7 inches is possible in Colorado and Kansas, according to the National Weather Service. Snowfall could reach up to 15 inches in areas above 8,500 feet in parts of New Mexico, with winds gusts of 55 mph possible.

Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota are also under a winter storm watch beginning Tuesday evening, with snow accumulations of up to 6 inches possible, winds as high as 60 mph and possible blizzard conditions.

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Wind advisory extends from Texas to Indiana

A wind advisory is in effect until Tuesday night or Wednesday morning in 12 states from Texas to southern Indiana, with gusts of up to 50 mph possible, according to the National Weather Service.

The advisory impacts parts of

Officials warned that the gusts could cause downed tree limbs, power outages, and dangerous road conditions.

Winter storm tracker

National weather radar

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tuesday weather forecast: Winter storm watches, winds hit across US