- An upper low will slowly track through the West into this weekend.
- This system will bring heavy snow to some of the higher elevations.
- Chilly and windy conditions will also spread across much of the region.
Chilly, windy and snowy conditions will spread across portions of the West this week, thanks to a slow-moving upper low.
An upper-level low will move into the West this week and then will remain over parts of the region through at least this weekend. Rain and higher elevation snow is expected in parts of the Northwest, northern Rockies and southward into the Sierra.
Colder than average temperatures will accompany the southward dip in the jet stream from the northern Rockies into the Great Basin and Southern California. Gusty winds are also anticipated in some areas.
Below we take a closer look at what to expect over the next several days.
Snowy Forecast
Rain and higher elevation snow will increase in parts of the Northwest and the northern Rockies Wednesday night.
Heavy snow is expected in portions of Montana and a winter storm warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for parts of the northern Rockies. Winter weather advisories have also been issued for other areas, including parts of the Sierra.
Current Radar
The late season snow may have extreme and major impacts in some areas according to NOAA's Winter Storm Severity Index.
The snow will be wet and heavy which may lead to power outages and damage trees and vegetation, particularly along northern Montana's Rocky Mountain Front and Glacier National Park. In addition, there are agricultural concerns due to how long the cold and wet conditions are expected to last. Hikers and campers also need to be prepared for winter conditions.
Roads, especially bridges and overpasses will likely become slippery as well.
(MAPS: 7-Day Forecast)
Most locations will experience light to moderate snowfall and the warm ground may limit snowfall accumulation. However, more than a foot of snow may fall in northern Montana through this weekend.
This system may linger into early next week. However, temperatures will not be as cold by late this weekend so most of the precipitation will fall as rain by then.
Rain and Snow Forecast
Much of the West experiences its last snow of the season in April or May on average. However, some locations, typically see snow in June. This includes Crater Lake National Park in Oregon where the last measurable snow of the season (at least 0.1 inches) is June 8. Last year, snow fell on June 16 there and snow is expected this week.
Snow is also expected in South Lake Tahoe, California, and Great Falls, Montana, this week and the average date of the last measurable snow are May 9 and May 11, respectively. However, snow has fallen as late as June in both locations.
Chilly Conditions
Below average temperatures will result in some very chilly conditions for parts of the West late this week.
Low temperatures will be up to 15 degrees colder than average from Montana to California late this week into this weekend. Temperatures will drop into the 20s and 30s in the higher elevations, with widespread lows in the 40s in the Northwest. Great Falls, Montana, may set daily record lows and daily record cold highs this week.
Forecast Morning Lows
High temperatures will also be notably colder than average, with many locations 10 to 30 degrees below average.
This translates to highs in the 30s and 40s in the higher elevations, with many locations topping out in the 50s and 60s. Farther south, Las Vegas will experience highs only in the low 70s to end the week.
Temperatures are expected to return closer to average early next week.
Forecast Highs
(Contour on the map is departure compared to average. Darker blue and purple contours indicate temperatures well below average.)Winds will increase ahead of the cold low pressure system moving into the West.
Some areas of the Southwest could see wind gusts over 50 mph at times through late this week.
The combination of dry conditions and gusty winds will increase fire concerns. Critical and elevated fire weather conditions will be in place for parts of the Southwest and Four Corners Region through late this week.
Winds should decrease in most areas this weekend.
There are some indications that another system may approach the West next week, but it is too early for details.
Wind Forecast
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May 20, 2021 at 12:58AM
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