April Could End With a Snowstorm in the Rockies and High Plains, Including Denver

Jon Erdman
Published: April 24,2017
April is almost over, but parts of the Rockies and northern Great Lakes will deal with snow much of the week, potentially ending with a snowstorm into the weekend in parts of the High Plains and Front Range.
(MORE: Winter Storm Central)
The culprit for the increasingly cold, snowier pattern this week is a succession of sharpening southward plunges of the polar jet stream, known as troughs, expected to swing through the Rockies.
The strongest of these jet stream nosedives will carve itself out over the Great Basin and Rockies by Friday, then get kicked into the Plains this weekend.

Potential Snowstorm Setup

While it remains too far out in time for key details on the weekend system, let's lay out what we know now about both the parade of snow earlier this week, then the possible snowstorm.

Early to Mid-Week

Periods of snow will spread from the Cascades of Washington and Oregon to the northern and central Rockies through Thursday.
Snowfall accumulations through Thursday are likely to top a foot in the Tetons and Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming, as well as higher elevations of the Washington Cascades.
At least 6 inches of snow are likely through Thursday in the rest of the Rockies' higher elevations.
After Monday night's snow moves into Canada, another round of wet snow is expected Tuesday night through possibly Thursday in northern Minnesota, far northern Wisconsin and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Generally, less than 6 inches of snow are expected in these locations.
(INTERACTIVE: When the Last Snow of Spring Typically Falls Where You Live)

Snowfall Forecast: Next 72 Hours

Potential Late-Week Snowstorm

By late Friday, rain may change to snow in the High Plains of Wyoming, western South Dakota, western Nebraska and parts of the Front Range and eastern Plains of Colorado.

Friday Night's Outlook

Saturday, snow may continue in the High Plains, and rain may eventually mix with, or change to, wet snow Saturday night, possibly lingering into Sunday in parts of the northern Plains and upper Midwest.

Saturday's Outlook

While it is too soon to forecast snowfall totals from this potential snowstorm, parts of the Interstate 25 corridor from Wyoming to New Mexico – including Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Denver metro area, Colorado Springs and Pueblo – could see significant accumulations from this Friday and Saturday system.
Travel along parts of I-25, particularly between Denver and Colorado Springs, and south of Walsenburg, Colorado, to Raton Pass, may become difficult by late Friday night or Saturday morning.
(MORE: Where April is Typically the Snowiest Month)
The Midwestern part of this system is a particularly challenging forecast.
With low pressure scooting north toward the Great Lakes, the air may become just cold enough for a swath of wet snow in parts of the upper Mississippi Valley Sunday into next Monday – yes, that would be May 1.
(FORECAST: 7-Day U.S. Rain/Snow Maps)
Be sure to check back frequently for the latest updates on this potential spring snowstorm.
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