Winter is coming earlier than expected. The National Weather Service (NWS) has put out an alert with warnings of significant snowfall and very low temperatures to hit certain parts of the United States. This has caught everybody by surprise, and it would seem the cold season will set in this year, earlier than anticipated.
Winter is coming, and it is going to be a cold one
Autumn has barely subsided, and parts of the Northwest and Northern Rockies are seeing snow. This weather system has been described as dynamic and rich in moisture. It is being fuelled by cold air from the Arctic pushing south. It is the kind of weather system meteorologists expect to see in late November, which is why some experts believe winter is heading in early.
This could very well be a colder winter than most, and a wet one at that. This is also not an isolated scenario, as experts believe this will be the case for much of North America. A robust jet stream and swelling El Niño pattern seem to be the calling cards for this early snow and plummeting temperatures. The last couple of years have seen more erratic weather patterns during this time of year, and this falls within that.
What states can expect early snowfall and cold weather conditions?
The full scope of this weather system has been monitored closely by the NWS, and only after this were they able to hone in on where the weather alerts should be issued. The four states include Montana, Wyoming, Washington, and Idaho. Heavy accumulation is expected in the coming days, with mountainous areas expected to receive as much as 16 inches of snow. The conditions on the road will be adversely affected by this, and so road closures could be resorted to.
In Washington State, this alert has been extended through Western Okanogan County and parts of the North Cascades. At snow elevations of 4,000 feet, four to eight inches of snow has been forecast, and 16 inches at elevations of 5,000 feet. Washington Pass, Highway 20, is being cited as an area where this will be seen in particular. Drivers have been urged to avoid using the roads in these areas during this time, as visibility could reach zero in parts.
What the snow and arrival of winter will look like in your state
Wyoming, the Absaroka, Teton, and Gros Ventre Mountain ranges are expected to receive six to 10 inches of snow. Ranchers and hikers have been cautioned to move livestock and avoid non-essential travel during this time. Montana and Idaho are preparing for their taste of an early winter. The Clearwater, Bitterroot, and Sapphire Mountains could see between five to 12 inches of snow. The NWS said that the slushy conditions this will result in could see road conditions worsen even outside mountain zones.
The discussion around the change in weather has been thrust back into the spotlight. Long-term weather data has pointed to cities like Milwaukee that usually record their first snowfalls in late November around the 20th of the month, but with snow already falling in the Northwest and cold fronts moving in an easterly direction, experts wonder if the Midwest could be next to experience this early winter.
Safeguarding against an early winter in the affected states
Road salts have already been prepared with snow removal and emergency services on high alert ahead of this snowfall in the affected regions. This usually happens much later in the year, but the situation does call for earlier readiness than what has been the norm.
Residents are urged to ensure they make use of snow tyres and to be wary of possible power failures, especially in more rural areas. Ensuring your insulation and heating measures are up to scratch is also high on the list of measures to be considered ahead of this early winter.