[Offline]
Posted: (October 09, 2008 11:22 am)
The snow will develop over the mountains of the northern Rockies today as a piece of a storm treks northeastward. The rain falling over the lower elevations will eventually change to snow tonight with the arrival of chilly air. The snow will keep falling into Friday as more rain and cold winds make for a raw day to the east.
Heavier snow is forecast for the northern Rockies on Saturday with the arrival of the main storm. The snow will spread to the northern High Plains at night into Sunday, threatening to create travel problems. The weight of the snow could also down power lines, resulting in power outages
The week will end with the northern Rockies and northern High Plains getting their first significant snowstorm of the season. Some snow will fall today into Friday over the northern Rockies with heavier snow forecast for Saturday. The graphic above displays the snow totals expected during this time. The Wind River Mountain Range in western Wyoming should top the storm's snowfall totals list with 1 to 2 feet.
Significant snow totals will also blast the northern High Plains Saturday night into Sunday. The snow will be heavy in nature, threatening to down tree limbs and power lines. Power outages could occur as well as poor traveling conditions.
Another round of cold air will invade the Pacific Northwest today. A storm brewing farther south will draw the chilly air southward into the region from Canada. The storm is expected to bring snow to the higher elevations in the northern Rocky Mountains, but this surge of cold air will help to bring an early taste of winter to many areas by this weekend
The colder air mass diving across the West will be accompanied by howling winds the next few days. Winds will start gusting this afternoon over most of the Southwest, as well as the interior Northwest. More wind will whip across these areas Friday into Saturday. The strongest winds, gusting in the mountains and upper deserts of the Southwest, will be capable of causing damage. The winds throughout the West could cause problems for high-profile vehicles. Where rain has not fallen recently, motorists should stay alert for low visibility as the winds will whip around dust and sand.
Parts of Southern California will continue to endure gusty winds beyond Saturday. Strong high pressure following the storm will allow a moderately strong Santa Ana wind event to occur late Sunday into Monday.
