Powerful Late Spring Storm Pounds Rockies | WeatherBug
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Powerful Late Spring Storm Pounds Rockies

May 22, 2019
UPDATED By WeatherBug Meteorologist, Matt Mehallow

A powerful spring storm will continue to produce heavy mountain snow across the central Rockies and Black Hills today and Wednesday.  

The combination of unseasonably cold air and plentiful Pacific moisture is leading to snow across the West’s higher terrain. A zone of heavy, wet snow will continue to fall along its northwestern and western fringe. By Wednesday morning, especially above 7,000 to 10,000 feet from Wyoming’s Rocky Front Range to Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, totals will range from 6 inches to 10 to 20 inches with locally up to 2 feet.

At the peak of the storm, snow will be intense enough to cause snow-covered roads and difficult driving. Make sure to check ahead about chain requirements. If travel can’t be avoided, make sure to have a winter survival kit including an extra flashlight and food and bottled water in case you become stranded.

Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are posted along the spine of the central Rockies. This includes Lake City, Aspen, Vail and Denver, Colo., and Dubois, Wyo. Travel will be difficult, including U.S. Highway 26 and Pikes Peak above 11,000 feet. Even further east across South Dakota’s western Black Hills, a heavy, wet snow will have plows and snowblowers working overtime today and Wednesday, where a Winter Storm Warning is also in place. Aleady, snow amounts of 6 to 12 inches have been reported south of Denver along the Rockies. Denver Int'l Airport has received 3.0" of snow so far. 

Rain and snow won’t be the only issues from the storm. As the storm intensifies, it will deliver a prolonged period of gusty winds across northern Arizona, eastern and southern New Mexico and far western Texas today and Wednesday. Sustained wind will peak at 30 to 45 mph with gusts as high as 55 to 65 mph. High Wind Warnings, Watches and Wind Advisories are in place. Flagstaff and Kingman, Ariz., El Paso, Texas, Las Cruces, Truth Or Consequences, Roswell and Carlsbad, N.M., are all included. Additional Wind Advisories are located across South Dakota into western Minnesota and northwestern Iowa later today. Perrie and Sioux Falls, S.D., Mankato, Minn., and Sioux City, Iowa are all included. 

Flash Flood and Flood Watches extend from southern Montana into western South Dakota. Rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches will be likely today through Wednesday. If you encounter a roadway that is covered by water, make sure to follow a simple saying, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”.