A winter storm moving eastward from the West to the Plains is expected to bring snow along with strong winds that may result in blowing dust and a high fire risk. There is also a potential for blizzard conditions in certain regions. The Weather Channel has named this system Winter Storm Marisol.
On the warm side of the storm, a severe thunderstorm outbreak is anticipated to occur from Friday through the weekend in the Midwest, South, and East.
The storm is currently bringing rain and mountain snow to the West, including California. There is a concern for localized flooding and debris flows in recent burn areas of Southern California. Heavy snow is expected in the Sierra Nevada and other mountainous regions, which could impact travel routes.
Snowfall from this storm will move into the Rockies on Thursday and continue into Friday. Another storm is following closely behind, bringing more precipitation to California and the Pacific Northwest. Meanwhile, Winter Storm Marisol will bring snow or rain transitioning into snow to the Northern Plains from Friday night through Saturday.
Although snow totals in the Northern Plains are not expected to be significant in most areas, high winds combined with snowfall could create blizzard conditions in some spots, leading to hazardous travel conditions.
One of the main impacts of the storm will be the widespread high winds in the West and Plains, even in areas without precipitation. The National Weather Service has issued high wind alerts in parts of the Southern Plains and southern Appalachians.
The timing and potential impacts of the storm include the following:
– Thursday: Strong winds are expected in the Southwest, increasing the risk of blowing dust and fire danger in the central and southern High Plains.
– Friday: High winds with gusts over 40 or 50 mph are forecast for much of the Plains, Midwest, and parts of the Southwest. Some areas in the southern High Plains may experience gusts exceeding 60 or 70 mph, leading to an extreme fire danger. Downed trees, power outages, and potential hazards for high-profile vehicles are possible.
– Weekend: The Midwest and central Plains will see strong winds on Saturday. There is a possibility of strong, gusty winds along the East Coast as a cold front brings rain on Sunday.
Chris Dolce, a senior digital meteorologist with nearly 15 years of experience, has been with weather.com since the early 2000s after starting his career with The Weather Channel.
