First Wintry Stretch Headed to Western U.S.

A cold and snowy stretch of weather is taking aim at the western United States next week. Blasts of cold air will funnel into the states as the jet stream dives south.

3:44 PM CDT Radar Update: A wintry mix of sleet, snow, and rain continues to move north and east into western and central ND. #ndwx pic.twitter.com/8Xg9zcfkrG

— NWS Bismarck (@NWSBismarck) October 4, 2018

This pattern will set the stage for multiple rounds of cold air to punch the western U.S. through next week, setting the stage for wintry weather across the inter-mountain west.

It also sets the stage for temperatures to plummet as much as 20 degrees below average as far south as Phoenix.

Many western cities will feel like November rather than early October with highs struggling out of the 30s for some.

Unseasonably cold temperatures persist for the next several days (at least). #ndwx #wheredidfallgo #iamfreezing pic.twitter.com/kPyKI1ouVz

— NWS Bismarck (@NWSBismarck) October 4, 2018

As the cold grips the West, multiple storms will develop and each will have the opportunity to deliver measurable snow to the higher elevations of the Rockies, especially in Wyoming and Colorado.

While this is not the first round of wintry weather for the northern tier of the United States, it’s certainly the coldest.

When traveling over higher passes, be mindful of local chain laws and to have an alternative route in mind.

For WeatherNation: Meteorologist Nick Merianos