Winter Woes Continue From the West to the Great Lakes
A series of storm systems will continue to bring heavy snow and gusty winds across the western U.S. into the Great Lakes today into Friday.
Up first is a weak area of low pressure starting to form over the central Plains. Moisture lingering behind this low will bring snow to the Rockies and the western High Plains this morning before streaking across the central Plains and into the western Great Lakes this afternoon into Friday.
Snow accumulations of 2 to 6 inches is expected from southeastern Montana, eastern Wyoming, and northeastern Colorado through much of Nebraska, Iowa, and southern Wisconsin. Localized snow accumulations up to 8 to 10 inches will be possible.
Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Storm Advisories are in place across portions of southeastern Montana, Wyoming, southwestern South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and southwestern Wisconsin.
Behind this system, another low pressure system is moving onshore over California this morning and will move into the Great Basin by this afternoon. With plenty of Pacific moisture will bring rounds of moderate to heavy snow over the higher elevations, with some rain in the lower elevations, including into Southern California.
As the low pressure system continues to slide eastward tonight and Friday, snow will fall over the Four Corners region. Snow accumulations up to a foot will be likely over the higher elevations of northern Arizona, southern Utah, western Colorado, and northern New Mexico.
Farther west, multiple feet of snow is likely over the Sierra Nevada mountains where 1 to 3 feet of snow is likely. Snow will even fall over the mountains of Southern California where several inches will be likely below 4,500 feet. Upwards of a foot of snow may fall above 4,500 feet.
Numerous Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Storm Advisories around found across the higher elevations of California into southern and western Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and western Colorado. There are even a few Avalanche Warnings in place across southern Utah and central Colorado.
Gusty winds will also accompany the rain and snow across West today into Friday. High Wind Advisories and a few High Wind Warnings are found across central and southern California into southern Nevada and northern Arizona. Wind gusts of 45 to 60 mph will be common, but a few wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph will be possible over the highest elevations and through some of the passes in southern California.
A brief lull in the active weather will settle over the western U.S. heading into the weekend. However, another storm system is taking aim for the Pacific Northwest to close out the weekend.
Snow combined with gusty winds will lead to difficult travel, including icy, snow-packed roads and near whiteout conditions.
Be sure to download the WeatherBug app to stay up to date on the latest on this changing weather. It’s 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.