Storm warnings hit New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming as dangerous travel conditions loom this week.
May is almost here, but winter has not gotten the memo. A wave of winter storm warnings and watches is sweeping across parts of the American West and South this week, bringing heavy snow, dangerous travel conditions and temperatures that could fall as much as 30 degrees below seasonal averages in some areas.
The National Weather Service has issued warnings covering several states, and forecasters are urging residents in affected areas to prepare now before conditions deteriorate later in the week.
Where the snow is headed
3 states are in the direct path of the incoming storm system: 1. New Mexico, 2. Colorado and 3. Wyoming, each facing significant snowfall totals that could make travel extremely hazardous in affected mountain regions.
In New Mexico, a Winter Storm Watch is in effect from Thursday morning through Friday evening for 3 areas: 1. the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, 2. Johnson and Bartlett Mesas and 3. the area including Raton Pass. The NWS Albuquerque office is forecasting snow accumulations of 3 to 8 inches at elevations between 7,500 and 9,500 feet, rising to 8 to 14 inches above 9,500 feet. Snow levels are expected to drop to around 7,500 feet by Friday morning following the passage of a cold front, with the heaviest snow anticipated late Thursday night through early Friday morning. Mountain pass travel could prove very difficult, with tire chains likely necessary for anyone who must drive through those corridors.
In Colorado, some mountain ranges could see up to 20 inches of snow according to the NWS Pueblo office — the largest accumulation forecast in the current system. Wyoming is also in line for significant snowfall, with up to 10 inches expected on 2 peaks: 1. Cloud Peak and 2. Franks Peak.
Record-breaking cold possible in the South
The storm’s reach extends well beyond snow country. As the system moves eastward, several Southern states are bracing for temperatures that forecasters say could be historically low for this time of year.
Daytime highs in parts of the South could drop into the 40s and 50s this week — compared to historical averages in the 70s to near 80 degrees for late April. That gap represents a temperature departure of 20 to 30 degrees below average, with forecasters noting that some record low maximum temperatures may be set across the region in the coming days.
Conditions in the Midwest and Northeast are expected to be cooler than normal as well, though the departure from average is less extreme than what the South is facing. Daytime highs in those regions are forecast to run several to 10 degrees below average — a significant but more manageable dip compared to the dramatic cold gripping areas further south.
How to stay safe
For anyone living in or traveling through the affected regions, preparation is essential before Thursday’s conditions arrive. Several practical steps can significantly reduce risk during a serious winter weather event.
For drivers, the most important precautions involve checking road conditions before departing, carrying tire chains if traveling through mountain passes in New Mexico or Colorado and avoiding unnecessary travel during the period of heaviest snow, which forecasters have pinpointed as late Thursday night through Friday morning in the most severely impacted areas.
For homeowners, reviewing home preparedness measures ahead of the storm is strongly advised. This includes checking heating systems, stocking emergency supplies and ensuring pipes are adequately insulated in areas where temperatures are expected to drop sharply overnight.
With the calendar on the verge of turning to May, this week’s system serves as a reminder that late-season winter storms can be among the most disruptive — arriving when many people have already mentally packed away their cold-weather preparations and are least expecting serious weather to become a factor.
Source: Men’s Journal