Late-week blizzard may unfold across central US, Midwest

By Jordan Root, AccuWeather meteorologist

February 20,2017, 11:15:50AM,EST

 

 Heavy snow and gusty winds may unfold as a strong storm system sweeps colder air across the central United States late this week.

The storm system will ride along a battle zone of cold Canadian air and very warm and moist Gulf air Thursday and Friday.
Which cities and portions of major highways that are hit the hardest by the storm will depend on the storm's exact track and strength.
The same storm system hitting California into Tuesday will initiate the thrust of colder air, wind and snow from parts of the Rockies to the Plains on Thursday.
"As the storm emerges into the Plains, it will pull copious amounts of Gulf Moisture northward that will clash with a Canadian airmass being pulled from the north," AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rossio said.
The storm is expected to track from the central Plains to the western Great Lakes through Friday and may strengthen significantly during this time. This would likely lead to a swath of heavy snow and strong winds on the northwestern flank of the storm.

At this time, some major cities at risk for heavy snow include Cheyenne, Wyoming; Lincoln and Omaha, Nebraska; Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Minneapolis, Minnesota. However, a small tweak to the storm track could shift the heaviest snow area away from these cities and into other areas.
Regardless of the track, the area of windswept snow will threaten travel.
"There could be an area that experiences blizzard conditions," Rossio warned.
Low visibility and snow-clogged roads could slow travel or even bring it to a standstill as travelers struggle with the heavy snowfall.
A swath of 6 to 12 inches of snow will be possible. If the storm strengthens as it heads across the Upper Midwest Friday there could be higher amounts in some spots.
"Wind and heavy snow will lead to large snow drifts and blinding white-out conditions can be anticipated along parts of the I-90 corridor through southern Minnesota," Rossio said.
Gusts in part of and outside of the snow area may top 45 mph.
Those who may be looking to schedule plans for the end of the week will want to keep a close eye on the forecast over the next few days. Poor weather conditions may lead to postponements and cancellations.
RELATED:
Dramatic temperature swing to bring taste of spring to eastern US
North Central Interactive Regional Radar
AccuWeather Winter Weather Center 2017
The storm system will bring a taste of winter back to the region following a very mild stretch of days.
Daily high temperatures have been ranging between 20 F and 30 F above normal across the central and midwestern U.S. In some places, high temperature records have been shattered.
While the warm ground may initially melt any snow that does fall, snowfall rates should become high enough to overcome that rather quickly.
Warm and moist air will continue to surge in ahead of the storm system across Ohio Valley on Friday. However, these conditions could help fuel severe thunderstorms.
The warmth will erased over the weekend in the wake of the storm across the Great Lakes and into the Northeast, as cold northwesterly winds help bring temperatures closer to normal.