Rain, Snow Returns Across Drought-Stricken Western US

By Brett Rathbun, AccuWeather.com Meteorologist

November 9,2015; 10:25PM,EST

 

 

Following a storm system that spread the first flakes to portions of the Western states last week, a new system will bring more accumulating snow across the region through the first half of this week.
The storm has the potential to bring the first blizzard of the season to parts of the High Plains and eastern slopes of the central Rockies, including Denver and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
A storm system will track eastward across the Western states into the Plains by Wednesday.
Chilly air will return and allow snow showers to return across the higher elevations and the first flakes to fall across some lower elevations.

Snow Blankets Flagstaff, Arizona

Regardless of whether the precipitation falls as rain or snow, any precipitation will help the significant drought across the West.
According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Mike LeSeney, "Enough snow can accumulate and make travel slippery and possibly lead to travel restrictions and chain laws to go into effect in the highest passes."

"Snow levels will be falling to around 4,500 feet," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Zapolski said.
Roads will likely be wet at Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 as temperatures will remain above freezing into Tuesday.
Snow will continue to affect portions of Montana, Idaho, Utah and Nevada and the Sierra Nevada into Tuesday. Snow could reach a foot or more over the high country.
RELATED:
Track Precipitation Across Your Area by Using AccuWeather Minutecast®
Sierra Nevada's Lowest Snowpack in 500 Years Provides Range of Benefits, Hardships to Hikers
WATCH: Lightning Radiates Night Sky of California During Recent Storm
Snow will track eastward into Tuesday from southeastern Montana to the Wasatch Range in Utah and across the higher terrain in northern Arizona. Places such as Billings, Montana; Casper, Wyoming; and Flagstaff, Arizona, could face slippery travel.
"In addition to the slippery roads, blowing and drifting snow can lead to low visibility at times," Zapolski said.
While snow showers may extend as far south as Flagstaff, accumulations are not expected to be as heavy as the 10 inches that fell during the storm last week.
"Rain will change to snow Tuesday night across Salt Lake City, with a light accumulation possible," LeSeney said.
This could be the first accumulating snow for Salt Lake City since April 15, 2015, when 5.5 inches of snow fell across the city.

By Tuesday night, snow will overspread areas from the Black Hills of South Dakota to the Colorado Rockies and eastern Colorado, including Denver.
From 1 to 3 inches of snow is forecast in the downtown area of Denver with much more for the foothills from Tuesday night into Wednesday. A foot of snow is likely along the Front Range.
"Travel delays and flight delays are likely Wednesday morning in the Denver Metro area," AccuWeather Meteorologist Michael Doll said. Gusty winds whipping the snow around and reducing visibility will further lead to problems for commuters.

This storm is not likely to produce any rainfall for the major cities of Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix, but will clip the Central Valley of California with rain on Monday.
As this storm exits, a new system will spread across the Northwest bringing more rain and higher-elevation snow for Veterans Day. Another potent storm is expected to move into the Northwest by Friday.