Interior West Braces for Rain, Snow, and Cooler Temperatures

A chilly and wet pattern is going to bring rain and snow across a large swath of the western U.S. this weekend, making it feel more like winter at times. Here is a look at this volatile forecast that is sure to disrupt outdoor activities and traditional spring outings out West.

Soggy, Snowy, and Cold for the Interior West

Heavy rain, accumulating snow, thunderstorms, and hail are all on the table this weekend as a potent storm system pushes across the interior West. The energy associated with this weather maker will produce air temperatures cold enough to send snowflakes flying over the highest elevations of the Cascades, the Wasatch Mountains, and the northern and central portions of the Rockies.

The coastal area of Washington and Oregon woke up to rain showers on Friday morning. This mass of moisture made its way into parts of Utah, Nevada, and Idaho to bring the work week to a close. As the weekend progresses, the rain showers will expand to the west and the south, enveloping Montana, Wyoming, and western Colorado on Sunday.

In addition to the garden variety spring rain showers, the weather pattern will also support the development of thunderstorms capable of generating large hail and frequent lightning strikes. Those with camping and hiking plans this weekend need to stay on top of the hourly forecast and take shelter when needed.

The cold air will be another facet of this dynamic storm system. Freezing levels will dip throughout the weekend, laying the groundwork for snow to inch down from the ridges and peaks to some of the more intermediate elevations of the major mountain ranges in the region. Thundersnow is another possibility with this weather pattern.

Motorists using the passes over the Cascades in Washington state should be prepared for the possibility of wet snow mixing in with the rain on Saturday night. For instance, temperatures will remain warm enough during the day over Snoqualmie Pass on Interstate 90 to keep the moisture falling as rain on Saturday. The pass, located about an hour east of Seattle, will pick up about a quarter of an inch of rain during the day before temperatures falling into mid 30s turn the rain over to snow.

Sunday's forecast over Snoqualmie Pass is calling for snow in the morning that switches to all rain in the afternoon when the mercury climbs to about 43 degrees. Monday morning may also bring another shot of wet snow to this region.

The heavily traveled mountain passes in Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado may see the threat of snow and slush beginning on Sunday and lingering through Sunday. In general, snow levels in the northern Rockies will fall to about 5,500 feet. Snowfall accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are in the forecast near pass level. It will be even snowier in the high country of the Tetons, the Bighorns, the Bitterroots, the Wasatch Range in Utah, and the Colorado Rockies. These areas are expecting up to a foot of snow by the time that the system pushes through.

The cold air will become more entrenched in the higher terrains on Sunday. Temperatures could slide into the low 30s and the upper 20s on Sunday, meaning that snow will have the ability to stick around for a bit.

The most populated mountain towns will escape with mostly rain, however, it will be a messy weekend for outdoor activities. Park City, Utah, is bracing for scattered thunderstorms to develop during the afternoon on Saturday. The moisture machine will intensify overnight with about a half of an inch of rain in the forecast.

Temperatures that reach the 60-degree mark on Saturday in Park City will begin to slip as the weekend progresses. An overnight low that tumbles into the mid 30s on Saturday will translate to the chance of wet snow on Sunday morning for the resort town. This snow will transition back to rain in the afternoon when the temperatures climb into the low 40s. While the readings will fall into the upper 20s overnight, the moisture is likely to have moved on by this time.

Forecast for California

California will avoid the primary impacts of this storm. The northern portion of California's Sierra Nevada may see a little snow on Saturday, however, no significant accumulation is anticipated due to a limited amount of moisture for the storm to use. Interstate 80's Donner Pass is expected to remain clear.

The biggest weather danger for California over the weekend will be gusty winds across the
Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys. The winds are forecast to be the highest on Sunday as the storm exits the region. The high winds, paired with the increasing temperatures and the low humidity level,s will raise the threat of wildfires at this time. The greatest chance of wildfire activity will then move into New Mexico and West Texas by the start of the new work week.

For example, Fresno is forecast to see winds out of the northwest at 10 to 20 mph on Sunday. The temperatures will reach the low 80s under mostly sunny skies before soaring to the 90-degree mark on Monday.

This same system will push down from the Rockies early in the week and set the stage for a widespread threat of severe weather across the Plains and into the Mississippi Valley. Forecasters have already begun warning residents that all of the ingredients will be in place to support a serious tornadic outbreak. Once this storm moves out of the central U.S., the mercury will be on the upswing just in time for the Memorial Day weekend.

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