Midweek storm to deliver accumulating snowfall to parts of western US

November 15,2016; 10:09AM,EST

 

 

The western United States will receive its first widespread significant snowfall of the season during the middle of the week.
The storm began to spread rain over portions of Washington, Oregon and northern California into Tuesday night.
However, what will set this storm apart from those earlier in the week and earlier this season will be the layer of chilly air that will accompany the precipitation farther inland through the middle of the week.
"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.

Enough snow could fall to hinder travel over the passes, such as Donner Summit, California, along Interstate 80. Motorists venturing over the passes should make sure their vehicle is ready for winter driving. In some cases snow tires and chains may be required.
As the storm progresses inland, snow and sleet will progress to lower elevations.
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 fall over portions of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Utah on Thursday.
Accumulating snow will impact the Wasatch Range as well as the Bitterroots, Clearwater, Tetons and other mountains that make up the northern and central Rockies.
As the system continues eastward, snow will begin to fall on the northern Plains later Thursday.
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 will filter in during the storm and in its immediate wake.
In Reno, Nevada, high temperatures will trend downward from the upper 60s F to near 50 from Tuesday to Wednesday. Temperatures in Salt Lake City are anticipated to fall by nearly 30 degrees from Tuesday to Thursday.
A couple days of more tranquil weather will follow this system before another storm approaches from the Pacific over the weekend.
Story written by AccuWeather Meteorologist Faith Eherts.