Southern Rockies snowmaker in sight

The latter half of the week is set to be busy with flooding rains and snow across the southern Rockies and southern Plains. Excessive rainfall risks have already been issued.

An upper-level low will be the main driver of this event, allowing cold, dense air to dive southward. High pressure in the eastern half will help push Gulf of Mexico moisture up into the south-central U.S. This will result in heavy mountain snow and even the possibility of flooding rainfall.

The wet and even snowy weather is set to begin Wednesday and last until Friday before the system pushes off into the lower Mississippi Valley. The rain will stick mostly to the lower elevations and Texas while snow is expected in the southern Rockies of southern Colorado and New Mexico. The Texas and Oklahoma panhandles could see some white stuff too.

As this storm system comes together, rain totals are not exact yet. As of now, we could see 2 to 3 inches across Texas with locally higher amounts. However, rain totals and more concise locations of the highest totals will become more exact as we get closer to the event.

A marginal risk for excessive rainfall has been issued for both Thursday and Friday due to the chance of isolated flash flooding in Texas. This much rain in a short amount of time, especially over drought-stricken lands, could quickly cause flooding issues, puddling, and rising creeks and rivers.

Now for the snowfall. Current forecast guidance is showing as much as 40 inches of snowfall in the highest elevations of the northeast New Mexico mountains by Friday evening!

In the surrounding lower mountains and into the higher elevations of the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles, more than a foot is possible. Talk about a winter wonderland! Again, as the system comes together, we will have more information soon.

We do have a small chance for a frozen mix, especially as temperatures hover near the freezing mark. It will be very important to monitor your local forecast, especially if you’re traveling and picking up your college kids for the holiday break!

Weather & Radar meteorologists will update this forecast throughout the week to keep you in the loop. Be sure to check back frequently.