A large storm system will drop late-season snow accompanied by gusty winds across the western and central U.S. through midweek.
The disturbance is already getting its act together over the western U.S. today, where moderate to heavy mountain snow will drift southward into central California and the Great Basin. As it moves east on Tuesday, much of the northern and central Rockies will get a blanket of fresh snow.
Various Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories dot the higher elevations from Oregon and California to the northern and central Rockies. California's Sierras and the higher elevations of the central Rockies will see some of the highest snow totals over the next couple of days, with 6 to 18 inches of snow expected. A few spots in central California and northern Wyoming could get up to 24 to 30 inches of new snow!
Snow will become widespread from the central Plains to the Upper Midwest late Tuesday through Wednesday as the storm system becomes better organized over the central U.S. As the system moves northeastward into the Great Lakes, a band of 3 to 8 inches of snow will fall from central and eastern Nebraska to northwestern Iowa, southern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Winter Storm Watches are in place for these areas. Some locally higher amounts of 8 to 10 inches are possible from northwestern Iowa to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
The disturbance will also bring widespread gusty winds to much of the southwestern U.S., Rockies, and central and southern Plains. High Wind Watches, Warnings, and Wind Advisories can be found from southern California and southern Nevada into the Great Basin, New Mexico, western Colorado, and the southern High Plains. Gusts of 40 to 60 mph could develop today through Wednesday, with locally higher gusts of 60 to 70 mph possible.
It’s never too early to prepare for inclement weather. Simply by having an emergency kit equipped with a weather radio, extra batteries, non-perishable food, water, clean clothes and blankets will go a long way in keeping your family safe, warm and protected. Be sure to check the WeatherBug App or your local weather stations to keep informed on the approaching weather.
