Back to forecast
Wintry Weather Winds Down Across West, Central U.S.
December 16, 2021 at 07:33 AM EST
UPDATED By WeatherBug Meteorologists
After blasting the Central U.S. with high winds Wednesday, the same storm system will continue to shift north across the Great Lakes today, before exiting into southern Canada. High winds and light to moderate snow will remain in the forecast. Out in the West, heavy snow over the Sierra Nevada Mountains will persist before tapering off by Friday morning.
A strong low pressure system has moved into the Great Lakes and will exit into southern Canada as the day goes on. While winds will be not as strong as they were on Wednesday, high winds will continue to be the main concern with this system. A portion of the northern U.S., including the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and into upstate New York, is under either High Wind Warnings or Wind Advisories. This is due to sustained winds peaking anywhere from 30 to 40 mph, with wind gusts as high as 60 mph.
Further south, the Ark-La-Tex and southern Mississippi Valley regions will be at risk for severe weather today due to a stalled cold front. Within any storms that develop, damaging wind gusts exceeding 50 mph will be possible. An isolated, brief tornado also cannot be ruled out.
Light to moderate snow will continue in the Great Lakes through later this afternoon, before tapering off and ending during the evening. An additional 1 to 3 inches will fall across the Upper Mississippi Valley to northern Great Lakes region. A few spots may approach 4 inches of snow accumulation in northern Minnesota.
Snow accumulations may not be particularly high, but the combination of high winds and snowfall will lead to blowing snow and dangerous travel conditions. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across the eastern North Dakota to northern Minnesota and northern Michigan.
Another storm system is dropping south through the Western U.S. today before losing steam tonight into Friday. This storm will bring more heavy coastal rain and mountain snow to places that received plenty of moisture earlier this week.
The highest elevations of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada will pick up an additional 1 to 3 feet of snow. Meanwhile, the rest of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada may see 6 to 12 inches through Friday, with several inches in the Great Basin and Rockies.
Additional Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the Cascades and the entire length of the Sierra Nevada as well as northern Nevada, Idaho, northwestern Montana, northwestern Wyoming, northern Utah, south-central Wyoming and north-central Colorado.
With high winds ongoing today, winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages will be possible. Travel will also be difficult, especially for light and high-profile vehicles. Make sure to bring in any unsecured Christmas decorations or patio furniture as they will likely be damaged or blown away if left outside.
It is also never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries, and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage. It’s always best to not travel in rough weather as the roads will be dangerous.
A strong low pressure system has moved into the Great Lakes and will exit into southern Canada as the day goes on. While winds will be not as strong as they were on Wednesday, high winds will continue to be the main concern with this system. A portion of the northern U.S., including the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and into upstate New York, is under either High Wind Warnings or Wind Advisories. This is due to sustained winds peaking anywhere from 30 to 40 mph, with wind gusts as high as 60 mph.
Further south, the Ark-La-Tex and southern Mississippi Valley regions will be at risk for severe weather today due to a stalled cold front. Within any storms that develop, damaging wind gusts exceeding 50 mph will be possible. An isolated, brief tornado also cannot be ruled out.
Light to moderate snow will continue in the Great Lakes through later this afternoon, before tapering off and ending during the evening. An additional 1 to 3 inches will fall across the Upper Mississippi Valley to northern Great Lakes region. A few spots may approach 4 inches of snow accumulation in northern Minnesota.
Snow accumulations may not be particularly high, but the combination of high winds and snowfall will lead to blowing snow and dangerous travel conditions. Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect across the eastern North Dakota to northern Minnesota and northern Michigan.
Another storm system is dropping south through the Western U.S. today before losing steam tonight into Friday. This storm will bring more heavy coastal rain and mountain snow to places that received plenty of moisture earlier this week.
The highest elevations of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada will pick up an additional 1 to 3 feet of snow. Meanwhile, the rest of the Cascades and Sierra Nevada may see 6 to 12 inches through Friday, with several inches in the Great Basin and Rockies.
Additional Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for the Cascades and the entire length of the Sierra Nevada as well as northern Nevada, Idaho, northwestern Montana, northwestern Wyoming, northern Utah, south-central Wyoming and north-central Colorado.
With high winds ongoing today, winds could blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages will be possible. Travel will also be difficult, especially for light and high-profile vehicles. Make sure to bring in any unsecured Christmas decorations or patio furniture as they will likely be damaged or blown away if left outside.
It is also never too early to have a supply kit packed in case of inclement weather. A simple kit including a weather radio, water, blankets, batteries, and non-perishable food items will go a long way in the event of a power outage. It’s always best to not travel in rough weather as the roads will be dangerous.