Winter Storm Leo Spreading Towards Rockies, Plains and Midwest After Lashing California

January 23,2017
Winter Storm Leo is now pushing east and will spread heavy snow and gusty winds through the Rockies, Plains and Midwest during the first half of this week. Leo brought heavy snow, high winds and flooding rainfall to California Sunday where impacts will continue into Monday, as well.
More than two dozen mudslides and rockslides were reported in California on Sunday, including one that two vehicles became stuck in near Wrightwood. Some roads experienced flooding in the Golden State. Swift water rescues were reported near Crestline, Sun City, Pedley and Costa Mesa. High winds downed some trees in Southern California.
Snowfall in the Sierra Nevada has piled up in feet. Parts of the Reno, Nevada, area saw more than a half foot of snow. For additional reports, see the bottom of this article.
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Current Conditions

A powerhouse southward plunge of the jet stream is pushing through the West, and will spread heavy snow into the Great Basin and Rockies through Monday, then spread a swath of moderate to heavy snow in parts of the Plains and Upper Midwest beginning Tuesday.
The National Weather Service has issued winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories for a large portion of the mountain West. Parts of the northern Plains and Upper Midwest are under winter storm watches.

Winter Weather Alerts

Monday into Monday Night: Snow Across the West

• Rain will become lighter and more scattered in California. Some thunderstorms are possible in southern California.
• Snow is expected to continue in the Sierra Nevada and the mountains of southern California, where snow levels will be lowering. Travel could be impacted by snow through the Grapevine on Interstate 5.
• The mountain West will also continue to see snowfall, heavy in spots, including parts of northern Arizona, northern New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana.
• Snow and wind will begin to increase in the northern Plains Monday night.

Monday's Forecast

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

• Surface low-pressure will strengthen over the Plains states.
• To the north of that low, accumulating snow, heavy in spots, is possible in parts of South Dakota, Nebraska, eastern Wyoming, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
• Stronger winds may accompany the snow in some areas, leading to poor visibility and hazardous travel conditions.

Tuesday's Forecast

Wednesday into Wednesday Night: Finishing Up in Great Lakes

• Snow and wind may linger around the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest, with some moderate snow possible, in spots.
• Some lighter accumulations are possible as far south as Chicago and Detroit.

Wednesday's Forecast

How Much Additional Snow?

• The higher elevations of the Rockies will see a foot or more of total snowfall.
• Some lower elevation locations in the West such as Salt Lake City will also see several inches of snow.
• A narrow corridor in the northern Plains and upper Mississippi Valley is forecast to pick up at least six inches of snow. This may include parts of South Dakota, northern Nebraska, northern Iowa, southern Minnesota and central Wisconsin.

Rain and Snow Forecast Through Wednesday

Winter Storm Leo Reports

The heavy snow and strong winds in the Sierra Nevada forced a closure of Interstate 80 Sunday night.
Here are some snowfall totals as of Sunday.

• California: 19 inches at Homewood Ski Resort; 16 inches at Northstar and Squaw Valley
• Nevada: Up to 7.5 inches in the Reno area.

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