A National Weather Service (NWS) map shows where two Western states are expecting more heavy snow from an ongoing winter storm.
NWS meteorologists issued a winter storm warning for parts of Colorado, Utah and Montana earlier this week. The winter storm warning has since expired for Montana, although a winter weather advisory is still in place for parts of the state. As of Friday afternoon, the winter storm warning said more snow was set to fall across high-elevation parts of Colorado and Utah’s Salt Lake City forecast region.
In Utah, meteorologists warned of heavy snow in the Wasatch Mountains south of I-80, the Central Mountains, Southern Mountains and the Western Uinta Mountains, including along some interstates.
“Winter driving conditions can be expected along all mountain routes, including higher passes along I-15 and I-70,” the NWS office in Salt Lake City warned.
NWS meteorologist David Church previously told Newsweek that although winter-like systems producing heavy snow in high elevations aren’t uncommon for Utah this time of year, many seasonal roadways are still open, meaning tourists or other motorists could encounter difficult travel from the heavy snow.
“Winter driving conditions are likely, especially for the Cottonwood Canyons,” one of the Utah warnings said. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.”
The winter storm warning will remain in place through midnight on Friday night for Utah locations.
Parts of Colorado can expect winter storm warnings to remain in place through Sunday at noon local time.
“Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 1 and 2 Feet. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph,” the NWS office in Pueblo, Colorado, said in the winter storm warning.
In Colorado, the heavy snow was expected in the La Garita Mountains and the Eastern San Juan Mountains. The NWS Pueblo office also had winter storm warnings in place for the Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The NWS office in Grand Junction, Colorado, had winter storm warnings in place for the Northwest San Juan Mountains, the Southwest San Juan Mountains and the Eastern Uinta Mountains.
“Roads will likely become slick and hazardous. Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” the warning said. “Persons should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.”
Elsewhere in the U.S., several states were experiencing cold temperatures, with frost advisories or freeze warnings in place for parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New York and Vermont as of Friday afternoon.
Read the full article here
