Western Snow Returns This Week

WEST - As we head into the rest of the week, increasing chances of rain and snow will impact the western United States as another upper-level low-pressure system moves onshore. Currently, an upper-level low is positioned over parts of the northern Four Corners, while the next trough is moving into the Pacific Northwest today.

This has prompted winter weather advisories for Utah through tonight for a few inches of snow in the Central and Southern Mountains, but above 6500 feet between 6-11 inches of snow and wind gusts up to 45 mph.

Snow currently falling across the Four Corners region will taper off tonight as we await the next system. A frontal boundary associated with the incoming trough will move onshore into the Pacific Northwest later today, spreading precipitation into the Cascade Mountains, Northern Rockies, and the Tetons. As a result, widespread winter weather alerts are in place for higher elevations across the Northwest.

The cold front will bring rain to lower elevations and snow to the Cascades as it moves inland. Moisture will then spread east into Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. This system is expected to reach Utah by Thursday and much of Colorado by Friday.

Snowfall totals will vary by elevation, but mountain areas could pick up 1-2 feet of snow through the week.

Lower elevations, such as Denver, may only see a couple of inches by Friday. Even light snowfall will be beneficial, especially given the below-average snowpack in some areas this season.