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By Anna Skinner
Associate News Editor
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A powerful winter storm is bearing down on the Western U.S. this week, with forecasters warning that up to 3 feet of heavy snow and whiteout conditions could endanger the lives of people in Wyoming and Nevada.
Fifteen states across the West, Intermountain West, Northern Plains and Midwest regions are now under a patchwork of winter storm warnings, watches, and advisories as a powerful system pushes inland, threatening deep snow, whiteout conditions, and treacherous mountain passes. In some cases, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists warned of "life threatening" conditions for motorists, hikers, and outdoor recreators in some of the hardest hit areas.
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Wyoming Winter Storm To Become Life-Threatening
Up to 3 feet of snow is expected to accumulate across the Sierra Madre range in Wyoming, with NWS meteorologists at the Cheyenne forecast office warning of total snow accumulations between 1 and 3 feet through Thursday morning. With winds gusting as high as 60 mph, visibilities could drop to below a quarter mile.
"Outdoor recreation could become life-threatening to those caught unprepared for severe winter conditions," NWS Cheyenne said in the winter storm warning. "Hikers and snowmobilers may easily become disoriented. Frostbite and hypothermia can develop quickly."
The winter storm warning will remain in place from 5 a.m. local time Tuesday morning until 5 a.m. Thursday morning.
Nevada Storm Front To Become a Threat to Life
In Nevada, life-threatening conditions could affect motorists in Esmeralda and Nye Counties.
Winter storm warnings will go into effect at 10 a.m. local time Monday morning. Up to 10 inches of snow are expected during this time. In the Sheep Range, Spring Mountains, and Red Rock Canyon, including the cities of Mount Charleston, Hayford Peak, and Red Rock Canyon, up to 2 feet of snow could fall in the highest elevations.
"Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous," NWS Las Vegas said in the warning. "Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Strong winds could cause tree damage."
The warning went on to say that the snow will hit in two waves. The first round will arrive on Monday afternoon, with snow at around 7,000 feet, although this will fall to lower elevations through Wednesday morning.
"A lull in the snowfall is expected late Monday night into Tuesday before the next wave brings additional snowfall Tuesday night into Wednesday," the warning said.
Winter storm warnings, advisories, and watches spanned at least 15 states on Monday morning. Although not all stressed life-threatening conditions, meteorologists warned that the winter storm will be dangerous, long-lasting, and very impactful. In many cases, people were encouraged not to drive, as travel could become impossible.
Snowfall amounts will vary depending on location, with lower elevation areas expecting rain rather than snow, and amounts potentially significant enough to cause flash flooding. People within the storms' paths are encouraged to monitor local weather forecasts and limit traveling during the worst weather.
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