Key Takeaways:
- Around 20 million people across the West and Midwest are under winter alerts due to a fast-moving storm delivering heavy snow, strong winds, and cold temperatures.
- The storm is expected to affect cities like Chicago, with snow totals reaching up to 6-8 inches in some areas.
- The highest snow totals will target the mountains, with parts of Wyoming, Utah, Montana, and Colorado potentially seeing an additional 5-12 inches of snow.
- Cold air will take hold across the Rockies, Plains, Northeast, and parts of the Southeast, with temperatures 5-20 degrees below average.
- A series of strong Pacific storms will bring a risk of widespread flooding to parts of Washington and Oregon through the week.
Introduction to the Storm
A powerful winter storm is sweeping across the West and Midwest, affecting around 20 million people and bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and cold temperatures to the region. On Saturday morning, snow showers were scattered over parts of the northern Plains and Rockies, from Montana to the Dakotas. This precipitation is expected to persist throughout the day, with snow gradually shifting into Iowa and Minnesota by the afternoon. The risk area includes Des Moines, Iowa; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Aspen, Colorado; and Jackson, Wyoming.
Impact on Cities
The storm is expected to have a significant impact on cities like Chicago, with snow totals reaching up to 6-8 inches in some areas. Residents are braving the cold, bundling up in multiple layers of clothing as they walk the snowy streets. Catherine Karwowski, a resident of Chicago, told NBC News that "this is early for us to have this much snow and these temperatures, so we’re kind of bracing ourselves for a rough one this year." Katie Jones, who recently moved to Illinois from Texas, is preparing for her first winter in the state, saying "just got the big coat, arrived today." Brielle Trostley, visiting Chicago from Florida, is struggling to adapt to the cold but is enjoying the novelty of the snow, saying "just to see everything covered in white all the time, that’s pretty new for me, because I’ve never seen snow before."
Snowfall Totals and Travel
The highest snow totals will target the mountains, with parts of Wyoming, Utah, Montana, and Colorado potentially seeing an additional 5-12 inches of snow, with up to 20 inches possible in some areas. The snow combined with 60 mph wind gusts will make mountain travel very difficult through the weekend. As of 2 p.m., snowfall totals reached 10 inches in Mount Crested Butte, Colorado; 5.4 inches in Orogrande, Idaho; and 3.4 in West Valley, Montana. Forecasters expect 2 to 5 inches of snow across a swath of the Midwest from the Dakotas through Lake Michigan, including Chicago.
Cold Air Mass
Temperatures will remain on the cooler side for the Rockies, the Plains, the Northeast, and parts of the Southeast on Saturday afternoon, with highs 5 to 20 degrees below average. Daytime highs will range from the single digits in the northern Plains, to the 20s to 50s across the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast. Overnight lows will dip below zero across the northern Plains, and as low as the 10s to 20s across the Midwest, Rockies, Appalachians, and Northeast. Despite the chill, no record lows are forecast for Saturday. On Sunday, the bulk of cold air will sit over the Plains, with daytime highs 10 to 25 degrees below average, especially affecting Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Iowa.
Active Week in the Northwest
A series of strong Pacific storms fueled by an atmospheric river will bring a risk of widespread flooding to parts of Washington and Oregon through the week. Flood alerts will go into effect for the western half of these states, including Seattle and the Oregon cities of Portland and Eugene, starting Sunday night and lasting through Friday. Rounds of heavy rain will affect the region over the next week, bringing 2 to 6 inches of rain, with up to 10 inches possible in some areas. Snow levels in this region will climb above 6,000 to 7,500 feet, with prolonged threats including landslides, burn scar flash flooding, and coastal flooding.
Rain in the Southwest
Meanwhile, in the Southeast, a line of moderate to heavy rainfall continues to linger from the Gulf Coast through the Carolinas. No severe weather is anticipated, but periods of heavy rain could lead to localized flash flooding. This pattern will persist through the weekend, with rainfall totals ranging from 0.5 to 2 inches. The region will need to remain vigilant, as the rain could cause disruptions to daily life and potentially lead to flooding in low-lying areas. Overall, the storm system is expected to bring significant winter weather to the West and Midwest, with cold air and snow affecting many areas, while the Northwest and Southwest will experience heavy rain and potential flooding.