Snow for the Rockies, Avalanche Warnings in Utah

18 Dec 2020, 8:00 am

The active weather pattern continues in the western U.S. as low pressure systems move onshore from the Pacific Ocean. The system working through the West has plenty of moisture as it carries through the interior areas and higher elevations, bringing rounds of snow.

Winter Weather Advisories are in place for much of the high terrain areas of western Colorado into southeastern Wyoming. Snow totals of 4″ to 7″ are likely, with the highest peaks approaching a foot.

Avalanche Warnings are in place for parts of Utah and southern Idaho in advance of this system. The Bear River Range, Wasatch Mountains, western Uintas and Manti-Skyline Plateau are included in the warning. Slopes steeper than 30° are the most in danger of avalanches.

A cold front has moved through Wyoming and most of Colorado. The heavier snow remains in the mountains western Colorado. Snow will be winding down for Utah by the late morning hours today (Friday). Snow showers remain possible throughout the mountains of Colorado through the early afternoon with a few areas of light snow possible across the eastern plains of Colorado.

Stay with WeatherNation for the latest updates on this system, the active pattern continuing in the Northwest U.S. next week and other top weather headlines.

About the author

Kara James

Kara has always been passionate about weather and knew from an early age that she wanted to become a meteorologist. Living in different regions of the country and experiencing weather events ranging from ice storms to tornadoes drove her to pursue a bachelor's degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma. Throughout college, storm chasing became a regular event for Kara, where she saw fir... Load Morest-hand the power of the atmosphere. Kara graduated cum laude from OU and decided to further her meteorology education with a Master's degree from Mississippi State University. The deadly April 27, 2011 tornado outbreak struck while Kara was studying at MSU; her first “Dixie Alley” tornado event and an up close glimpse into the destruction of the storms she so closely studied. Her broadcast career began in Elvis’ birthplace, Tupelo, Mississippi, where she earned her Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society. Kara's career has included coverage of all types of severe weather including tornado events, flooding and tropical systems across multiple southern states. Recently she helped cover the 2020 Easter Sunday deadly tornado outbreak in southeast Mississippi. In her free time, you can find Kara outdoors exploring new areas with her mini poodle,Truffles. Kara is also an avid runner and frequently races in 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons.