Massive Storm System Impacting Western and Central U.S.

EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS

Powerful Storm System moving across the  U.S. Dumping Heavy Snow

Massive Winter Storm is bringing heavy snow to the higher elevations of the Central Rockies, Northern High Plains and Upper Midwest, causing  temperatures to plunge substantially in the West and Central U.S., said National Weather Service (NWS).

The temperatures are forecast to plunge as much as 30 degrees below normal.

• Up to 18 inches of snow could bury Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin. 

The powerful storm system is moving across the Western and Central U.S. The storm is bringing heavy snow to parts of the Rockies and Northern Plains. The highest snow totals are expected to be in the Central Rockies where up to 24 inches of snow is expected. Further east, parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin may receive up to 18 inches of snow. Once the storm departs, bitterly cold air will follow. —NWS

U.S. Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap)  for Tuesday, December 3, 2013. Source: NWS/CRH. Map enhanced by FIRE-EARTH Blog.

A rather strong upper level low currently over the Pacific Northwest is forecast to continue dropping southeastward into the Northern Rockies by Wednesday, pushing a surface cold front south and east ahead of it. Very cold temperatures drawn in from Canada, combined with strong vertical lift, should be enough to support widespread heavy snow from the Northern and Central Rockies into the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest. Winter Storm watches, warnings, and advisories are currently in effect for much of the Intermountain West, Northern Plains, and Upper Midwest. Light to moderate snow will begin across the Northern Rockies, Northern Plains, and Upper Midwest on Monday night, and eventually spread into the higher terrain of the Central Rockies by Tuesday afternoon. At this point, it appears the heaviest of the snow accumulations should be confined to the highest terrain of the Central Rockies with storm totals ranging from 12 to 18 inches across the Wasatch range of Utah, to as much as 24 or more inches in the Central Rockies. Farther east across extreme Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin, anywhere from 10 to 18 inches of snow is possible. —NWS

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