Late-Season Snowstorm to Wallop Rockies as West Faces Spring Weather Whiplash
Winter is holding on longer than usual this year, but April is the snowiest month for many Western states.
This week is a weather roller coaster for people in the Rocky Mountains. High winds and 1-2 feet of snow are predicted for the Rockies through Saturday due to a significant late-season snowfall. In Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah, warnings and winter weather advisories are in effect.
On Wednesday, Highway 2 near Essex, Montana, was covered with snow en route to the lower Rocky Mountains. As a fast-moving region of low pressure sweeps in from the northwest and sends temperatures plunging, Denver may see snowflakes by Thursday evening.
Rain will more likely reach higher elevations due to this low-pressure region and cooler temperatures. Before the winter storm, the Mile High City may experience a 30-degree temperature decrease, with the possibility of snow accumulation by Friday. Additionally, accumulations may occur in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Before the system starts to move across the Plains by Saturday afternoon, snow will continue to fall through Friday. Snow will cover Arizona’s San Francisco Peaks and New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo Mountains by Friday. Friday night temperatures in Flagstaff, Arizona, are expected to fall into the upper teens.
Additionally, there is a chance of thunderstorms in eastern Colorado through Friday. Between one and two feet of snow might fall in some regions of Wyoming and Colorado. This year, winter is holding on longer than usual, but April is the snowiest month for many Western states. April has the highest average snowfall in parts of South Dakota’s Black Hills, Wyoming, and Colorado. June was the final snowfall ever reported in Denver, Salt Lake City, and Cheyenne, Wyoming.
