Snow Spreads From Rockies to the Northern Plains Through Early Week

Linda Lam
Published: November 27,2016
More snow will continue to blanket much of the mountain West on Sunday, followed by a combination of snow and strong winds that will hammer parts of the northern Plains to start the new week ahead.
(MORE: Winter Storm Central)
This latest round of snow is courtesy of a potent southward plunge of the jet stream that is pivoting through the West. The energy associated with that jet stream dip is spawning an area of surface low pressure in the Plains where we could see several days of snow and gusty winds. Moisture from this system will reach interior parts of the Northeast by Tuesday where some wintry weather is also possible.

Current Radar

Various winter storm warnings, winter storm watches and winter weather advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service from the Cascades into the Rockies. Winter storm watches are also in effect for much of North Dakota, eastern Montana and the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Winter Weather Alerts

As of Sunday morning, up to 24 inches of snow had been reported in California's Sierra Nevada near the Lake Tahoe area. Wolf Creek in the Colorado Rockies had seen about 12 inches of snow.

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Here are some preliminary snow totals from the storm that went through yesterday & overnight. #snow #cawx #Norcal

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More Western Powder Ahead

Here is a general timeline of impacts expected in the West through early week.

• Sunday: Snow spreads into the Rockies and Four Corners/Mogollon Rim and tapers off in the Sierra. A separate system brings more snow to the Cascades.
   
• Monday: A reinforcing shot of cold air and associated weaker storm system will allow snow to develop by late Monday across much of the Rockies.  ​

Strong winds are also expected in the Rockies and Four Corners Sunday, which when combined with falling snow, could lead to dangerous travel conditions in the high country, particularly over passes. Blizzard conditions are possible in parts of southern Wyoming Sunday into Monday.
(FORECAST: Snoqualmie Pass, Washington | Truckee, California)

Snowfall Forecast

Over a foot of snow is likely in the highest elevations from the Cascades to the Wasatch and Rockies through Monday. Locally up to two feet of snow may accumulate.
While the high country picks up most of the snow, some valley locations will also see accumulations, including Flagstaff, Arizona through Sunday night and Salt Lake City Sunday night into Monday. Lake-effect snow could impact the Salt Lake City area late Monday into early Tuesday.
(MORE: 10 Facts About Snow That Might Surprise You)

Northern Plains Snowstorm Ahead

An area of low will intensify while tracking northeastward through Plains Sunday night into Monday in response to the jet-stream energy we mentioned that is surging in from the West.
Initially, cold air will be a bit lacking, so precipitation Sunday night and early Monday will start as rain or a wintry mix in the northern Plains before changing over to wet snow, possibly becoming heavy in some parts of the Dakotas.

Monday's Forecast

That gyre of strong, surface low pressure could remain parked in place for several days next week near the northern Plains and upper Midwest, wringing out areas of snow, heavy at times, around it.
(MAPS: Weekly Planner)
For now, the heaviest potential snow accumulations appear to be targeting parts of the Dakotas, where over six inches of snow are possible through the middle of the week ahead. Light to moderate accumulations are expected elsewhere in the northern Plains and upper Midwest.
(FORECAST: Bismarck, North Dakota | Pierre, South Dakota | Minneapolis, Minnesota)

Snowfall Forecast Through Wednesday AM

Strong winds wrapping around this low-pressure gyre in the northern Plains may produce near-blizzard conditions in open country, due to blowing and drifting snow, as well as falling snow, Monday into Tuesday or early Wednesday.
(MORE: Yes, There is a Blizzard Alley)

Wintry Weather in the Interior Northeast

Moisture from this system will also interact with sufficient cold air in the interior Northeast to produce wintry weather there starting Tuesday.

Tuesday's Forecast

Parts of northern New York, Vermont and New Hampshire may see icy conditions Tuesday before changing to plain rain.
The most signifcant snowfall in the Northeast will fall in northern Maine. More than six inches may pile up Tuesday-Thursday, in two separate rounds.

MORE: Winter Storm Argos, November 2016 (PHOTOS)