Next Spring Storm to Bring Midwest, Northeast Snow and Wind

Jon Erdman
Published: April 4,2017
Another spring storm is dumping snow in the Rockies and then will intensify later this week, wringing out wet snow and strong winds from the Great Lakes into the interior Northeast.
In classic April fashion, the warmer side of this system will also bring severe weather to parts of the South and East later in the week, not to mention another soaking rain.
(MORE: Tornado Central | Winter Storm Central)
While the Rockies are beginning to clear out, the Midwest and Northeast have snow yet to come.

Midwest/Northeast: Snow, Wind Later This Week

We're just the messengers here. We know you're antsy for sunny skies and warmer temperatures in the northern tier of the country, but system will bring one more dose of cold air and snow.
Thanks to an intensifying southward jet stream plunge, the surface low-pressure system will also intensify late this week over the Ohio Valley and Northeast.

Ingredients For the Late-Week Storm

Given it's early April, there will likely be just enough cold air drawn in on the backside of this storm to wring out areas of wet snow from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley to the Appalachians and interior Northeast that could linger, in spots, into Saturday.
(MAPS: 7-Day U.S. Rain/Snow Forecast)
Winter storm watches have been posted for portions of northern Lower Michigan.

Current Winter Alerts

The Windy City will live up to its name Thursday with gusts potentially as high as 45 mph. These strong winds could pile up water at the southern end of Lake Michigan, including in the Chicago and Gary, Indiana, areas. Waves up to 20-22 feet are expected to make activities on Lake Michigan dangerous, and will only help to push water ashore on the southern end of the lake.
The combination of wet snow plus strong winds may lead to some power outages and tree damage Thursday and Friday, particularly in areas where snowfall totals may be heaviest, which remains somewhat uncertain this far out in time.
(MORE: April Temperature Outlook)

Snowfall Outlook Through Saturday

If that wasn't enough, the warm side of this system will feature a threat of severe thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday not simply in the South, but also in parts of the Ohio Valley and East before the cold air arrives.
(MORE: April Begins With Threat of Severe Thunderstorms)
Check back with us at weather.com the next few days as the key forecast details come into focus on this next storm.

Rockies Snow Winding Down

This system began its cross-country journey by wringing out more snow in the Rockies, but flurries will be coming to an end by early Wednesday morning.

Current Conditions and Radar

Light to moderate snow will continue in eastern Colorado and northeastern New Mexico through the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday.
(FORECAST: Denver | Jackson, Wyoming | Aspen, Colorado)
Once again, travel over the Palmer Divide south of Denver and over Raton Pass – the Colorado/New Mexico border on Interstate 25 – could continue to be difficult until snow tapers off.
As of Tuesday evening, 21 inches have fallen near Beulah, Colorado, and some power outages were reported in the region Tuesday morning. The Colorado Springs area has received up to 13 inches of snow.
In Wyoming, portions of Wyoming picked up more than six inches of snow. Lander, Wyoming received 11.40 inches.
Snowfall has also spread into northeastern New Mexico and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. Near Red River, New Mexico, 10 inches of the white stuff fell. Santa Fe and Los Alamos received more than 3 inches.
Nearby, in Texline on the Texas/New Mexico border, 8 inches fell through Tuesday evening.

MORE: Winter Storm Stella Photos (March 2017)

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