Winter Storm Advisory Issued for Parts of Western US Amid Snowfall Forecast
Four states are under Winter Weather Advisories as heavy snow and wind threaten travel and hazardous conditions.
A winter blast is bringing significant snowfall and hazardous conditions to parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, and Utah. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued Winter Weather Advisories for high-elevation areas in these states, with alerts in effect until Thursday.
Some regions could see up to 14 inches of snow, with the western Uinta Mountains in Utah forecasted to receive the highest accumulation. Wind gusts up to 35 mph are also expected, potentially reducing visibility and exacerbating slick road conditions. The NWS has warned travelers to "proceed with caution" and noted that "early season snowfall on roadways may pose a significant risk to under-prepared travelers."
In Utah, the western Uinta Mountains could receive 8 to 14 inches of snow before Wednesday morning, making routes like Bald Mountain Pass potentially hazardous. Colorado is anticipating 4 to 12 inches of snow, with advisories starting late Tuesday night or Wednesday and continuing into Thursday morning. Commutes in these areas could be disrupted by snow-covered and icy roads.
Wyoming's Snowy Range is expected to receive 5 to 10 inches of snow, primarily above 9,000 feet, from late Tuesday night through Thursday noon. Travel along Highway 130 could become difficult due to falling and blowing snow. An advisory for Wyoming's Wind River Mountains, also above 9,000 feet, forecasts 3 to 12 inches and remains in effect until Wednesday morning.
Nevada's Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range could see an additional 5 to 10 inches of snow before their advisory expires Tuesday afternoon. Officials are urging drivers to slow down, allow extra travel time, and check road conditions.
This early season winter weather is occurring ahead of broader forecasts predicting a potentially harsh winter for many parts of the U.S. Long-range models suggest an increased chance of above-average precipitation along the entire East Coast from December 2026 to February 2027, as well as for California. Independent forecasters anticipate frequent nor'easters along the East Coast. Meteorologist Ryan Hall has identified a corridor stretching from Oklahoma to the Carolinas as a potential "winter storm battleground" where significant snow or ice events could occur this winter.