Midweek storm to bring first significant snowfall of season to western US

November 13,2016; 8:24PM,EST

 

 

Following a damp weekend and early week in the northwestern U.S., the region will receive its first significant snowfall of the season on Tuesday night into Wednesday.
The precipitation will not fall as snow everywhere, however.
Rain can be expected throughout much of Washington, Oregon and northern California on Tuesday and Wednesday.
What sets this storm apart from those earlier in the week will be the layer of chilly air that will accompany the precipitation farther inland.
"The push of much-colder air will change rain to snow across the Cascades and Sierra Nevada down to pass levels by Wednesday with accumulations likely," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun said.
Motorists should drive cautiously in snowy conditions, particularly in areas of heavy snow where visibility may be limited at pass levels.
On Wednesday, snow and sleet will fall along with the rain over parts of Idaho and along the southern edge of the storm.

"This could end up producing the first significant widespread snow of the season for parts of the interior West," Rathbun said.
Snow is expected to accumulate throughout Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and parts of Utah and the Dakotas on Thursday as well.
"Accumulating snow will also fall across the Wasatch Range as well as the Bitterroots, Clearwater, Tetons and other mountains that make up the northern and central Rockies," Rathbun said.
As the system continues eastward, snowfall is expected to impact the Dakotas on Thursday.
Since widespread heavy accumulation is not expected with this system, the most prevalent threat to motorists east of the Rockies may be the wind.
The combination of snow and gusty winds can result in poor visibility and travel delays. High-profile vehicles should exercise caution, even where there is little to no snow accumulation.
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Chilly air can be expected to filter in behind the precipitation.
In Reno, Nevada, highs will drop from the upper 60s to the lower 50s F from Tuesday to Wednesday. High temperatures in Salt Lake City are anticipated to fall by more than 15 degrees Fahrenheit between Wednesday and Thursday.
By Saturday, temperatures will rebound to near average.
A couple days of calmer weather will follow this system before another storm approaches from the Pacific over the weekend.
Story written by AccuWeather Meteorologist Faith Eherts.