Monster storm to bring several feet of snow and tornadoes this weekend

[Omaha Steve]

Source: CBS NEWS

BY JEFF BERARDELLI

A slow-moving, blockbuster storm is likely to bring the biggest snowfall in decades to parts of the Front Range of the Rockies and western Plains states this weekend, possibly challenging all-time records for some cities. On the warm side of the storm, the first spring season severe weather outbreak threatens Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

The massive, whirling storm system was diving southward from the Pacific Ocean into California on Wednesday, providing some much-needed rain and snow after the fourth-driest 18-month stretch in state history. Heavy downpours will bring an inch or two of rain to many parts of the state and over a foot of snow in the higher elevations.

Once the storm reaches the Rockies it will slow down and intensify, using its atmospheric dynamics to funnel warm, moist air from Mexico northward — slamming the moist conveyor belt right into elevated land in the western Plains and Rocky Mountains. This effect of forcing air to rise due to land elevation is called orographic uplift and is responsible for the biggest snowstorms in cities like Denver and Boulder.

While the first round of snow is falling Wednesday in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota, it's the next round, starting later Friday and reaching its apex on Sunday, that will make traveling near impossible, with snowfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour. Wind gusts over 45 mph are likely on Saturday, ramping up to 60 mph on Sunday, meaning blizzard conditions will be widespread.





Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/snow-storm-winter-weather-tornadoes-rockies-plain-states/

[jimfields33]

1. Still Winter so expected. But tornadoes? I hope those don't materialize

[Marthe48]

2. Wow!

I wonder if this storm will be as bad as they predict? We've had several this year that weren't nearly as bad as forecast. I guess it is expect the worst, hope for the best.

Hope there are no tornadoes. People in TX and other southern states could use a break.

[Arthur_Frain]

3. Snownado now?

nt.

[riversedge]

4. Sounds dangerous. Hope people are staying SAFE by staying home.

[Yeehah]

5. Welcome to climate change

Warmer air holds more moisture. Many areas will see huge increases in precipitation. Other areas will become dust bowls.

[marble falls]

6. Think of it as another non-covid-cluster event!