Snow News is Good News…At Least for the Skiers
The blended precipitable water produce from NESDIS shows the firehose of moisture being pointed at the western U.S. right now, and the result it mammoth snows and flooding rains.
Look at these QPF totals over the West for this week:
Those are total liquid evuivalents in inches. Multiply by ten for snow in inches, and throw in some orographic effects and you have some spectacular snow forecasts in the mountains, not to mention flood threats in the lower elevations.
The NWS Grand Junction CO is warning that parts of their area could see “phenomenally heavy snowfalls” over the next few days. How about 2-4 FEET of snow, with amounts up to 6 FEET in places like Aspen, Snowmass, Crested Butte, Vail and Telluride? That is the forecast for areas above 9,000 feet. They say that heavy snows could be continuous over the next three days. Wow. Skiing anyone? Throw in some 30-50 mph winds and travel will be impossible at times they report.
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place. 2-3 FEET of snow is expected at lake level with 3-6 FEET above 7,000 feet.
One of JB’s favorite spots, Monarch Pass in Colorado is expecting up to 5 feet of snow, says the NWS Pueblo.
Western slopes of the northern Sierras will see up to 8 feet of snow above 7,000 feet says the NWS Sacramento, including parts of I-80. They warn that travel will become impossible.
Not to be outdone, 5-10 FEET of Yosemite National Park (sorry about that mistake). The system responsible for the mammoth snowfall amounts is also soaking southern California, where flood advisories and warnings are in effect.
HAWAII GETTING IN ON THE ACT: A flash flood warning is in effect this afternoon (morning there) for the island of Maui. The NWS Honolulu warns that the Hawaiian summits could see up to 6 inches of snow today.
VIKING SNOW: They haven’t played an NFL game outdoors in Minnesota in 29 years, but will be forced to tomorrow night due to the collapse of the Metrodome roof. A winter storm warning is in effect for Minneapolis for Monday as 5-9 inches of snow is expected. Should be an interesting game to watch on Monday Night Football tomorrow night between the Viks and Bears.
Category: Headlines
About the Author (Author Profile)
Bill Murray is the President of The Weather Factory. He is the site's official weather historian and a weekend forecaster. He also anchors the site's severe weather coverage. Bill Murray is the proud holder of National Weather Association Digital Seal #0001 @wxhistorianSubscribe
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