Wednesday's Weather Outlook

The Rockies will receive much needed snow with a dynamic storm system strengthening in the Plains.

A healthy dumping of snow will be in store for much of the Rockies. The ski resorts in the interior Western U.S. have struggled this winter with keeping snow on the ground. This will change as snowfall will occur in the middle to high terrain of the Four Corners and central to southern Rockies. Along with this, parts of the Desert Southwest and lower elevations of the Four Corners will see plain cold rain.

A strong storm system will form east of the Rockies and move northeastward towards the Midwest. A mix of heavy rain and a few rumbling storms will occur in Oklahoma, southern Kansas, and Missouri. Elsewhere, a solid soaking of rain is expected for Kansas, southern Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan. A narrow strip of accumulating snow is possible for southern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and the western tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Light to moderate snowfall totals are possible.

With such a dynamic and quick moving storm system, impacts will be felt elsewhere. Showers are in the forecast for the Deep South and Mid-South. Late into tonight and Friday, the Ohio Valley and Tennessee Valley will also see showers. 

An active pattern of snowy conditions will continue for the northern Rockies, Sierra Nevada, and Cascades. Snow showers will whiten up the regions throughout the day with light to moderate totals possible. Some snow will be possible for lower elevations in the Great Basin states of Nevada and Utah. Rain showers are likely along the west coast of Washington and Oregon. 

High pressure will bring mostly dry weather along the East Coast from New England down to Florida. 

A couple of spots across the country will be between storm systems including the northern Plains and central to southern West Coast. Expect dry conditions in these regions. 

Teens and 20s will feel chilly in the middle to high terrain of the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, and Cascades. The Great Basin and lower elevations of the northern interior Western U.S. will see 20s and 30s. Outside of the Western U.S., more 20s and 30s will be felt in the northern to central Plains, Upper Midwest, and northern New England. Thirties and 40s are likely for the Four Corners and interior Northeast. 

A mix of 40s and 50s are expected for the central to southern West Coast, Lower Midwest, and Mid-Atlantic. The Ohio Valley, Desert Southwest, and central to southern Appalachian Mountains will be in for 50s and 60s. Sixties and 70s will warm up the Southeast, Mid-South, Tennessee Valley, and Deep South. The warmest air in the contiguous U.S. will be in the southern Plains with 70s and even a few 80s.