Big Mountain West snow; Help for growing drought

The U.S. West remains active this week as heavy snow falls across large stretches of the Mountain West.

The WeatherRadar shows heavy snow falling across the span of the Rockies from northern New Mexico northward into Idaho. Feet of snow is likely in the highest elevations, with even lower elevations receiving snow. Salt Lake City could receive a couple of inches of snow.

In addition to snowfall, high winds are sweeping across the Great Basin, Southwest and Rockies. The WindRadar shows wind gusts in excess of 35 mph will cause snow to drift and create blizzard-like conditions through early Thursday.

This snow is being produced by the same storm system that is continuing to bring heavy snow to California's Sierra Nevada since late Sunday. Several feet of snow have already fallen there, triggering backcountry avalanches. Several backcountry skiers remain missing after one hit their tour group on Tuesday.

The snow is beneficial for the U.S. West. Much of the interior West remains locked in long-term droughts, with snowfall totals running at 15 percent of normal this winter.