Winter mess out West: Storms & blizzards

Several low-pressure systems are affecting the western U.S. These are the same ones that will be stalled Tuesday and Wednesday over the same general area, revving their engines to race toward the Midwest and Great Lakes area where record snow is likely to fall.

Our WeatherRadar shows the snow affecting the inland areas while some thunderstorms will stay focused along coastal areas. For many areas, the precipitation will fall for much of the week, along with other dangerous conditions such as strong winds and possibly record-low temperatures.

The storms are producing winter storm warnings from the mountains over southern California, the Sierra, and the mountain ranges of northern California to the northern Cascades. Heavy periods of snow will affect the mountains through Wednesday, causing major impacts, while intermittent lighter snow mixed in with rain will be possible for the latter part of the week.

Through Wednesday, elevations above 3,000 feet of the Sierras could receive up to 3 feet of snow, while up to 8 inches are forecast for areas above 1,000 feet. Through the Cascades similar amounts are possible. Up to 2 feet of snow are possible over elevations above 1,500 feet. This snowfall could bring road closures and major travel delays. Strong winds will cause near-whiteout conditions and difficulty for travelers.

The California central valleys will also experience strong winds, (without the snow, of course), which could also bring danger to those traveling in high-profile vehicles, and power outages are possible as gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph. You can track the wind speeds for the next 4 days in our WindRadar.

Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, and the rest of the Northern Plains will also receive their fair share of snow. Winter storms advisories and warnings are in place through Wednesday. Across the Northern Plains, there are a couple of areas that have triggered their blizzard warnings as not only heavy snow, but strong winds will also be in place. Southern Wyoming, affecting I-80 to Highway 287, just west of Casper are bound to receive 14 inches of snow and gusts as high as 65 mph through late Wednesday evening.

Cities such as Malta, Glasgow, and Zortman in north-central Montana are also under a blizzard warning through late Tuesday evening. Nighttime travel will be impossible as gusts could be as high as 45 mph and up to 7 inches of snow will be quickly falling. The rest of the state could receive up to 4 inches of snow. Temperatures will be frigid all week and the winds will make the temperatures feel as low as 35 below zero. Brr!

Areas as south as New Mexico will also receive some snow, especially across Navajo Nation and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Chama-Jemez, and Tusas Mountains. Snow will start Tuesday night through Thursday morning. Elevations below 7,500 feet could get up to 5 inches of snow with 9,000 feet and above close to 2 feet of snow. Gusts will also make conditions on the roads difficult to impossible as the snow will be combined with strong gusts up to 70 mph.

Please heed warnings as this winter storm is a monster from its start and will only become stronger as it moves east.