A strong Pacific storm system covering much of
the western U.S., will spread moisture and
precipitation from the West Coast into the Intermountain West and Rockies
today, December 15, 2016, through Friday (12/16). Forecasters expect any snow to be confined to the higher elevations from the
Sierras east to the Great Basin and central Rockies.
Farther north, colder arctic air remains entrenched, and widespread snow is expected from the northern Intermountain West to the northern High Plains. Heavy snow is possible across a wide area including portions of the northern Intermountain West, northern Rockies, and northern High Plains, with heavy snow possible for the central Rockies on Friday.
Late Thursday night into Friday, the system will begin to spread
precipitation east across the central U.S. Snow will be possible on Friday over a large area from the Rockies to the Great Lakes, with heavy snow possible for some areas. Farther south, warmer air aloft overspreading the shallow arctic air mass will result in the potential for sleet or freezing rain from portions of the central plains to the mid-Mississippi valley.
This image was taken by GOES East at 1745 UTC on December 15, 2016. |