According to AccuWeather meteorologists, a wall of snow is expected to move southward across the Rockies and High Plains as the coldest air of the season arrives later this week and continues into the weekend. The combination of accumulating snow and plummeting temperatures will result in hazardous conditions.
A mass of Siberian air will travel across the North Pole by midweek, then move southward through central Canada later in the week before reaching the central United States over the weekend. As this air mass passes over the western Plains and eastern slopes of the Rockies, snow will accumulate and spread southward.
A storm system moving from the Canadian Rockies to Ontario early in the week will set the stage for a snowstorm in the higher elevations of the central U.S. From late Thursday to Friday, snow is expected to develop in Montana and northern Idaho before moving southward into Wyoming along the Interstate 15, 25, and 94 corridors.
The ridges and peaks of the Rockies will serve as a boundary for the western extent of the snowfall as it progresses southward through Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The snowfall is predicted to be most significant on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, Foothills, and nearby High Plains along the I-25 corridor.
AccuWeather Meteorologist Jacob Hinson stated, “Depending on local terrain and intensity, snow accumulation could range from a few inches to up to a foot.” Metro Denver may receive 2-4 inches of snow from Friday night to Saturday morning, with higher amounts possible in foothill areas.
Other cities likely to experience some snow accumulation from this storm include Great Falls, Montana; Casper, Wyoming; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Lubbock, Texas.
While snow may reach as far south as the border between western Texas and Mexico, it is expected to be more sporadic compared to the steadier snowfall in Colorado and Wyoming. Following initial melting due to preceding mild temperatures, a rapid freeze-up is expected as temperatures plummet, creating icy and slippery conditions.
As the Arctic air mass arrives, temperatures will drop significantly. Locations like Denver, which have not yet experienced subzero temperatures this winter, will see temperatures fall considerably over the weekend. The coldest air of the season is forecast to move across the central High Plains and Foothills, with temperatures possibly dipping into the single digits or even below zero Fahrenheit.
AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures may be 10-20 degrees lower than actual temperatures at peak. The frigid air will continue to move southward over the eastern slopes of the Rockies and Plains, reaching as far south as Texas early next week.
After affecting the Rockies and Great Plains regions, the cold air will then shift eastward. For advanced features and an ad-free experience, consider unlocking added safety measures.
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