The pre-ski season butterflies flutter as the winter storm warnings cycle the news stations. While this feeling may help us ski junkies get through election day, for many people, it will be what stands between them and their right to vote. The National Weather Service (NWS) is issuing winter storm warnings in five western states: Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and Alaska.
Colorado is issuing a warning out of Pueblo. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Wet Mountains, and Wet Valley are projected to receive between six and 12 inches of snow. Denver, on the other hand, will not see even half an inch of accumulation.
The towns of Missoula, Billings, Great Falls, and Glasgow have warnings in Montana. Missoula above 4,000 feet is expected to accumulate six to 10 inches of snow, six to 14 inches in the Pryor/Northern Bighorn Mountains outside of Billings, up to 30 inches of snow accompanied by gusts of 60 mph in Great Falls, and up to 10 inches in southwest Phillips County by Glasgow.
The Bighorn Mountains up by Riverton, Wyoming, will also see an early winter. Eight to 16 inches of snow are expected, and the storm will continue into Wednesday morning.
Washington State issued a winter storm warning to Stevens Pass, which will see up to two inches of snow and gusts up to 40 mph. The West Slopes North Central Cascades and Passes, including the city of Darrington, will see an accumulation of up to three inches at or above elevations of 3,500 feet. The cities of Seattle and Spokane are unlikely to see any snowfall.
In Alaska, warnings were given to Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks residents. Out of Anchorage, Seward Highway around Turnagain Pass and Summit Lake will accumulate up to 15 inches of snow. This morning, a blizzard warning was given to the cities of Saint Paul, Bethel, and the Nunivak islands. The cities of Skagway and White Pass outside of Juneau will see five to nine inches of snow, and the Eastern Beaufort Sea Coast out of Fairbanks will see up to one inch, but it will be accompanied by gusts as high as 60 mph.
New Mexico, Idaho, and Oregon are other states these winter storms affect. NWS has released Winter Weather Advisories for these states. An NWS winter weather warning indicates “that conditions threaten life or property and that travel will become difficult to impossible.” In contrast, an advisory indicates that “conditions pose a significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to situations that may threaten life or property.”
Check your local weather forecast for updates if you live in an affected area. As the NWS advised in many areas, “Travel could be very difficult to impossible, and tire chains may be required for some vehicles. Those in the backcountry should ensure they are prepared for dangerous conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Strong winds could cause damage to trees and power lines.”
