Wintry weather tested holiday travelers as it brought freezing rain, bitter cold and high winds across the Rocky Mountains, as well as upper Midwest on Tuesday. This surprised most forecasters and transportation officials.

Most holiday travelers started their trips ahead of Thanksgiving Day this coming Thursday. Yet, a cold front along with strong gusts of winds was bringing heavy, blowing snow to many Western States, which caused a “near white-out” condition in some areas as mentioned by the National Weather Service.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, a cold air mass with blustery conditions is expected to  continue driving the wind chill temperatures at around 20 to 40 degrees below zero in some places, particularly in some parts of Idaho and Montana.

Winter storms, Blizzard warnings and other winter weather advisories were already posted across eastern Idaho, western Colorado, eastern Nevada, Utah and several other areas.

Travelers are urged to exercise caution when they head for holiday gatherings. Weather Service spokesman Pat Slattery warns everyone to be prepared when driving. Travel problems must be anticipated as it will be dangerously cold.

Some areas have already experienced blizzards and accidents related to bad winter weather. In the Kootenai County, Idaho, they just experienced a major blizzard, which is considered as the strongest pre-Thanksgiving cold wave to reach the region since 1896 according to Cliff Harris, a climatologist based in Idaho.

Skiers and motorists were trapped in mountains of Oregon. The famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Utah canceled their rehearsals due to the storm. Long-haul mail trucks were stranded in Idaho. Car accidents were already widespread, and several government offices, as well as schools in Idaho were closed.