Late-Weekend Storm Will Pound California and Could Become a Plains, Midwest Snowmaker

Chris Dolce
Published: January 20,2017
On the heels of Winter Storm Kori, another high-impact Pacific storm system will pound California late this weekend with heavy mountain snow and lower-elevation rain. This new storm will then push through the mountain West, and could eventually become a windy snowmaker for parts of the Plains and Midwest next week.
(MORE: Winter Storm Kori Forecast)
Ushering in the stormy weather is a potent frontal system that will approach the West Coast Saturday night, along with its associated upper-level system. The energy aloft will then spread east and spawn a surface low-pressure system in Plains that will track toward the Great Lakes.

The new Pacific storm will push into the West Coast Saturday night into Sunday, then spread through the Rockies, Plains and Midwest.

The additional rainfall from this system on top of what Winter Storm Kori has already brought to California will continue a risk of flooding and mudslides in parts of the Golden State into Monday. Another round of heavy snow will bury the Sierra Nevada and the mountains of Southern California. Snow and strong winds will then impact parts of the interior West, Plains and Midwest.
(MORE: Winter Storm Central)

Saturday Night into Sunday: California Pounding First

• Rain will spread into California Saturday night and continue through Sunday.
• Snow is likely to be heavy in the Sierra Nevada and the mountains of Southern California during the peak of the storm.
• Parts of the interior Northwest to the northern Rockies, Wasatch of Utah, northern Arizona and the Colorado Rockies will see snow from this system either later Sunday or Sunday night.
• Heavy rainfall is expected in Southern California, which could trigger flash flooding and mudslides. On the other hand, the rain will be beneficial to the long-term drought encompassing that region of the state.
• Southern California rainfall in the higher elevations below snow level could total 6 to 12 inches when including this storm and what falls with Winter Storm Kori. Coastal and valley areas may see 2 to 6 inches of rain by next Monday.

Rain and Snow Forecast Through Monday

Monday into Monday Night: Snow Across the West

• Rain will become lighter and more scattered in California.
• Snow is expected to continue in the Sierra Nevada and the mountains of Southern California, where snow levels will be lowering.
• The mountain West will also continue to see snowfall, including parts of northern Arizona, northern New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and southern Montana.
• Snow and wind may begin to increase in the northern Plains Monday night.

Monday's Forecast

Tuesday into Tuesday Night: Snow, Wind in the Plains and Midwest

• The surface low-pressure system will track from the central Plains to the upper Midwest and Great Lakes.
• To the north of that low, accumulating snow is possible in those regions. This may include areas from Nebraska and South Dakota to parts of Iowa, southern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
• Gusty winds may accompany the snow in some areas, leading to poor visibility and hazardous travel conditions.

Tuesday's Forecast

Wednesday: Finishing Up in Great Lakes

• Snow and wind may linger around the Great Lakes region through Wednesday.
• A mix of rain and snow may linger in the southern Great Lakes into Wednesday night.

Wednesday's Forecast

MORE: Winter Kori Impacts the West