Spring Storm to Bring Great Lakes, East Snow and Wind Late Week

Jon Erdman
Published: April 7,2017
A strong spring storm will bring wet snow and strong winds from the eastern Great Lakes into the interior Northeast and southern Appalachians through Friday, after already dumping snow in the Rockies.
In classic April fashion, the warmer side of this system brought severe weather to parts of the South and East Wednesday into Thursday, not to mention more soaking rain.
(MORE: Tornado Central | Winter Storm Central)

Midwest/Northeast: Snow, Wind Late 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 this system will bring one more dose of cold air and snow.
As of early Friday evening, snow was falling across portions of Upstate New York and in the Poconos of Pennsylvania.

Current Conditions and Radar

Generally, 1 to 4 inches of snow accumulated across Lower Michigan Thursday, led by 4 inches near Delton. Over 10,000 customers lost power in Barry County, Michigan, due to the weight of the heavy wet snow combined with gusty winds up to 40 mph at times.
In Broadview Heights, Ohio 10 inches of snow was measured and up to 8 inches accumulated near Gatlinburg, Tennessee through Friday morning. Scroll below for additional snowfall totals.
This round of snow is thanks to a southward plunge of the jet stream, which allowed the surface low-pressure system to also intensify over the Ohio Valley and Northeast.
Given it's early April, there was just enough cold air drawn in on the backside of this storm to wring out areas of wet snow, or a mix of rain and snow, from the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley to the Appalachians and interior Northeast.
(MAPS: 7-Day U.S. Rain/Snow Forecast)
In addition to the snow, gusty winds are also expected. The combination of wet snow plus strong winds may lead to some power outages and tree damage through Friday, particularly in areas where snowfall totals may be heaviest, which will likely be in the mountains of eastern West Virginia and the higher terrain of New York state.
(MORE: April Temperature Outlook)

Snowfall Forecast Through Friday

Snow will continue through Friday, and rain may change to snow in parts of northern New England Friday night. A few snow showers may linger in northern New England into early Saturday.
Snowfall Totals So Far
Here are selected snowfall totals as of early Friday afternoon:

• Michigan: 4.0 inches in Delton; 2.5 inches in Kalamazoo
• New York: 4.6 inches near Colden; 1.9 inches at the Greater Rochester International Airport; 1.6 inches at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport
• North Carolina: 1.5 inches at Newfound Gap
• Ohio: 10.0 inches near Broadview Heights; 1.9 inches Cleveland 
• Pennsylvania: 5.0 inches near North East; 3.6 inches at the Erie International Airport
• Tennessee: 8.0 inches near Gatlinburg
• Virginia: 2.5 inches near Hightown
• West Virginia: 5.0 inches near Mount Storm

Rockies Snow Recap

This system began its cross-country journey by wringing out more snow in the Rockies Monday into Tuesday.
Near Golden, Colorado, 23.2 inches of snow fell, and some power outages were reported in the region Tuesday morning. The Colorado Springs area received up to 13 inches of snow.
Portions of Wyoming picked up more than a half-foot of snow. Lander and Jackson Hole received 7 inches, while up to 8 inches were measured near Riverton.
Snowfall also spread into northeastern New Mexico and the Texas and Oklahoma panhandles. In Angel Fire, New Mexico, 14 inches of snow were measured.
Nearby in Texline, on the Texas/New Mexico border, up to 8 inches of snow fell through Tuesday evening.

MORE: Winter Storm Stella Photos (March 2017)

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