Monday, November 16, 2015

Winter Storm Will Impact Rockies and High Plains This Week; Blizzard Watches, Warnings Issued

Linda Lam
Published: November 16,2015

A southward dip in the jet stream moving across the West will intensify a low pressure system east of the Rockies starting Monday night, resulting in blizzard or near-blizzard conditions for parts of three states.

Current Radar
The storm is currently spreading snow through the Rockies, but its greatest impact will be along the Front Range of the Rockies and the adjacent High Plains.
Blizzard watches and warnings have been issued by the National Weather Service for portions of eastern Colorado, northwestern Kansas and southwestern Nebraska for late Monday into Tuesday.

Winter Weather Alerts
The poor visibility from the snow and wind will create dangerous travel conditions and may prompt roads to close for a time in the High Plains. Avoid all travel in this area from Monday night into early Wednesday.
On Sunday and Sunday night, the storm system brought snow from the Washington Cascades to California's Sierra Nevada and even the mountains of Southern California. As of Sunday evening Kingvale, California, at an elevation of 6,100 feet, measured 10 inches of snow.

Snowy Forecast


Snowfall Forecast
As our forecast graphic shows, the heaviest snow amounts will be in the Rockies where over a foot of snow is possible in some locales. The Palmer Divide south of Denver could see snowfall totals over a foot as well.
Snowfall totals of 5-12 inches are forecast in the Highs Plains of eastern Colorado, western Nebraska and northwest Kansas. Parts of the Denver metro area may see 6 inches or more of total snowfall.

Snow Timing


Monday's Forecast
Monday
The higher elevations of Utah, southeastern Idaho, southwestern Montana, Wyoming, central and western Colorado, northern Arizona and northwestern New Mexico will likely see snow during the day. Snow will be heaviest in the Rockies of Colorado and the Wasatch Range in Utah. Strong wind gusts are likely from southern Idaho, Nevada and the Colorado River Valley to the High Plains of New Mexico, west Texas and western Kansas.
(FORECAST: Salt Lake City | Flagstaff, Arizona)

Monday Night's Forecast
Monday Night
Snow will push east overnight into eastern Colorado, northern New Mexico, western Nebraska, southwest South Dakota and northwestern Kansas. Heavy snow is possible in the mountains of Colorado and High Plains of southern and central Colorado. Winds will increase with gusts over 40 mph possible in the High Plains, leading to poor visibility and dangerous travel conditions. This includes parts of I-80, I-70 and I-25.
Denver may see the snow start as rain, but it is expected to change over early in the night. Gusty winds will continue in the area overnight as well.
(FORECAST: Colorado Springs | Santa Fe, New Mexico)

Tuesday's Forecast
Tuesday
Snow, possibly heavy, persists in parts of eastern Colorado, western Kansas, western Nebraska and far northeastern New Mexico. Some light mixed precipitation may impact the panhandles of Oklahoma and Texas.
Strong north to northwest winds may continue to produce areas of blowing snow, reduced visibility and perhaps blizzard conditions in some parts of the High Plains much of Tuesday. Dangerous travel conditions are likely in the region, including on portions of I-70 and I-80.
Snow finally winds down across the High Plains Tuesday night.
(FORECAST: North Platte, Nebraska | Pueblo, Colorado)
This strong low pressure system will also bring the threat of flooding from the Gulf Coast to the mid-Mississippi Valley and severe thunderstorms in the South, especially toward Texas and the Gulf Coast states.
(MORE: Potential Severe Weather Outbreak | Major Flash Flood Threat)
This winter storm event is still evolving so check back for updates and for the latest forecast.
MORE: Western Snow Nov. 10-11, 2015 (PHOTOS)

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