Winter Storm Set to Drop Piles of Snow Over Mountain West
Old Man Winter will travel coast to coast through Thanksgiving Day. The highest impacts from wintry weather will occur from the Sierra Nevada into the Colorado Front Range, but the rest of the West and portions of the Northeast should pay close attention to the weather forecast.
The Western U.S. will remain under the influence of a large upper-level storm system and associated cold front today. From there, the storm system will drift into the Central U.S. on Wednesday and then the Northeast for Thanksgiving Day. While the system does weaken slightly as it moves over the mountains, there will be plenty of cold air and Pacific moisture to drop rain and mountain snow throughout the West. The system will then tap into moisture from Gulf of Mexico as it pushes east.
Moisture will continue to invade the entire Western U.S. today, resulting widespread rain and mountain snow showers. The focus of precipitation will be found from the Sierra Nevada into the central and southern Rockies. Here, moderate to heavy snow will occur throughout the day. Snow will then spread into the Front Range and central High Plains in the evening.
Otherwise, expect generally a smaller chance for rain showers across the West Coast, including Los Angeles! Light snow will fall for the higher elevations and mountains in the Northwest, Great Basin and northern Rockies, with a rain/snow mix elsewhere.
By Wednesday, any wintry precipitation will mainly be limited to the central/southern Rockies and Colorado Front Range. Expect moderate to heavy snow here for most of the day. A few flurries or very light snow showers cannot be ruled out for the northern Rockies and northern Plains. Rain will be in the forecast for the central Plains into the Midwest and Ohio and Tennessee valleys.
When all is said and done, snowfall amounts will range from 1 to 3 feet in the Sierra Nevada, with locally higher amounts of 4 feet possible! The tallest areas in central and southern Rockies in Utah and Colorado will pick up generally 10 to 20 inches of fresh powder. There is also the potential for higher amounts of 2 feet or more. The tallest peaks in the Great Basin as well as the rest of the central/southern Rockies and Colorado Front Range can expect 4 to 12 inches, with a Trace to several inches elsewhere.
Widespread Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for the far southern Cascades in California, the entire Sierra Nevada range and the Rockies in Utah and western Colorado. Winter Weather Advisories have also been posted for a few areas, including the eastern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, east-central Nevada, southeastern Idaho, western Wyoming, some of the lower portions of the Rockies in Utah and Colorado and the Tusas Mountains in north-central New Mexico.
As if the heavy snow wasn’t enough, breezy to windy conditions will also accompany this storm system. The highest winds will occur in the tallest peaks of the Mountain West, especially in northern New Mexico, with wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph likely. The heavy snow combined with high winds will lead to dangerous travel conditions, including snow-packed roads, blowing and drifting snow and reduced visibility. Extreme caution should be taken if travel is absolutely necessary. Downed trees and power lines will also be possible, leading to power outages.
A High Wind Warning is in effect for south-central Colorado into north-central New Mexico, including Raton Pass. Wind Advisories are also scattered across southern California and southern Nevada into New Mexico.
For Thanksgiving Day itself, snow or a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain will be likely for parts of the Midwest, Ohio Valley and interior Northeast.
With wintry weather expected across the nation leading up to Thanksgiving, be sure 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 or being caught in a winter storm while driving. It’s always best to avoid traveling in rough weather as the roads will be dangerous.