After California, strong storm aims US Midwest, Plains
Image credit: GFS/TropicalTidbits.com
Some 6.6 million people in the United States are under winter storm watches as strong winter storm threatens Midwest and Plains Thursday, February 23. This is the same storm that dumped heavy rain and flooded California earlier in the week. This storm is now named Quid by The Weather Channel and is the 17th named storm of the season.
A cold front exiting out of the Rockies and into the High Plains and Upper Midwest today will continue on its way through the central United States, the National Weather Service said. By Thursday the sprawling boundary will span from the Desert Southwest to the Great Lakes/Northeast.
Widespread precipitation is forecast from the continental divide eastward to the Great Lakes/Ohio valley through early Saturday morning. The better chance for snowfall accumulations will be from the Wasatch eastward into the Central Rockies where amounts of up to 304.8 to 457.2 mm (12 to 18 inches) are possible in the highest elevations. Amounts in the adjacent High Plains are forecast to be 101.6 to 203 mm (4 to 8 inches).
Winter Storm Watches are in effect from Wyoming to Wisconsin. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for portions of Utah, Idaho and Montana.
Additionally, strong gusty winds will accompany this system as it crosses into the Plains. The influx of drier air will increase the threat for wildfires. Red flag warnings are in effect for eastern New Mexico and Colorado.
Quid will be a harsh reality check for many in the Midwest and Plains, bringing a swath of heavy snow and strong winds, Chris Dolce of The Weather Channel writes.
"Much of this region is currently in the grips of a record-smashing warm spell. The warmth has even tied all-time record highs for the month of February.
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