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Residents of Wheeling, Ill, shovel snow in front of their house, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Wheeling, Ill. The winter storm may leave more than 1 foot of snow in the Chicago area.
Nam Y. Huh/AP – taken from NPR.org
This week, the northern Rockies and Plains will see the first significant wave of winter weather of the season, which could bring record-breaking low temperatures and accumulations of over a foot of snow.
Lightly populated areas in the north of the country are expected to experience the nation’s first substantial blizzard of the season, beginning on Tuesday and lasting until Thursday. The storm, according to forecasters, will initially affect areas of the Pacific Northwest and the northern Rockies before moving into the northern Plains over the course of the following few days.
According to AccuWeather, the storm will strike at least six states and could cause major travel delays. AccuWeather also said that “near-blizzard conditions” might occur. Up to 2 feet of snow, according to the National Weather Service, might fall in certain places.
AccuWeather meteorologist Joseph Bauer urged taking some time this week to get ready by unpacking winter clothing including shovels, jackets, hats, and gloves. “It can be a good idea to start up snow removal equipment like snow blowers to ensure they function properly.”
US Braces for Winter: Storm Warning in Place
As the storm neared on Tuesday, winter storm warnings and watches were in force for parts of the Cascades and northern Rockies.
Travel could be “very difficult to impossible,” and tire chains “may be required for some vehicles,” the weather service office in Great Falls, Montana, warned, adding that “those in the backcountry should ensure they have appropriate knowledge and gear and may want to consider alternate plans.”
According to Jonathan Erdman, a meteorologist with Weather.com, “roads may become snow-covered and slippery by later Tuesday in the Cascades and northern Rockies, then into the northern high plains Wednesday into Thursday.”
Bauer warned that “gusty winds on Thursday can lead to blizzard-like conditions across the Dakotas, with blowing and drifting snow, along with reduced visibility.”
According to CNN Weather News, the remainder of the northwest US will begin to see snow on Tuesday afternoon into Tuesday evening. During this window, areas of Idaho, Montana, and the Oregon Cascades will start to accumulate snowfall as temperatures struggle to get above the freezing point.
Tuesday night’s record-low temperatures will cause many high-elevation areas to experience wind chills well below zero. By early Wednesday morning, temperatures in northern Idaho will fall into the teens, while those in some areas of northwest Montana may only reach the single digits.
The combination of chilly air and lots of moisture will create the ideal conditions for Tuesday night’s heavy snowfall. On Tuesday night, the Cascades may see snowfall accumulations of six inches or more, with amounts nearing a foot likely above 7,000 feet.
On Wednesday, snowfall throughout the Northwest and northern Rockies will increase. Additionally, the wind will blow snow throughout this period, which could considerably impair travel conditions and limit visibility.
Even though the highest elevations will receive the most amounts of snow from this storm, wintry weather will also affect certain low elevation areas in South Dakota, Montana, and Washington.
On Wednesday, some areas of Washington could see a few inches of snow fall down to 1,000 feet, while Seattle will simply see a cool rain.
On Thursday, snow will start to fade across the Cascades, but as the storm moves east, it will cover some of the northern Plains. Parts of South Dakota will be covered in more than a foot of heavy snow on Thursday and into Thursday night.
Even though the highest elevations will receive the most amounts of snow from this storm, wintry weather will also affect certain low elevation areas in South Dakota, Montana, and Washington.
On Wednesday, some areas of Washington could see a few inches of snow fall down to 1,000 feet, while Seattle will simply see a cool rain.
On Thursday, snow will start to fade across the Cascades, but as the storm moves east, it will cover some of the northern Plains. Parts of South Dakota will be covered in more than a foot of heavy snow on Thursday and into Thursday night.
In lower-elevation places where snow does fall, there will also be a risk of melting and refreezing. Any snow that melts during the day will just freeze over at night, forming hazardous ice along sidewalks and roads.
The majority of the northern US will see considerable snowfall stop by Friday, although a few flakes will still fall around the US-Canada border before the storm completely enters southern Canada.
How to stay safe
A blizzard is characterized by significant precipitation and strong gusts, which result in very poor visibility. A blizzard, according to the weather service, is defined as a snowstorm with gusts of at least 35 mph that blow or fall snow and cause visibility to drop to at least a quarter of a mile for at least three hours.
There are ways to stay safe during a blizzard. Affected citizens can do the following:
- Prepare an emergency medicine bag
- Stock up on food and water
- Stay up-to-date on winter storm warnings
- Watch for potential signs of frostbite
- Look out for symptoms of hypothermia
- Get your car ready for winter weather emergencies
- Prepare for a power outage
- Clear snow carefully
Stay safe during this winter storm, a reminder for our Northern US residents.
