Winter storm map as heavy snow hits parts of two states

A National Weather Service (NWS) map shows where two western states are expecting more snow from an ongoing winter storm.

NWS forecasters issued a winter storm warning for parts of Colorado, Utah and Montana earlier this week. The winter storm warning has since expired for Montana, although a winter weather advisory is still in place for parts of the state. As of Friday afternoon, the winter storm warning said more snow was expected to fall in high-elevation parts of the Salt Lake City forecast region of Colorado and Utah.

In Utah, forecasters warned of heavy snowfall in the Wasatch Mountains south of I-80, the Central Mountains, the Southern Mountains and the western Uinta Mountains, even along some interstates.

“Winter driving conditions can be expected on all mountain routes, including higher passes along I-15 and I-70,” the NWS office in Salt Lake City warned.

NWS meteorologist David Church said earlier Newsweek that while winter-like systems that produce heavy snow at high elevations are not uncommon in Utah this time of year, many seasonal roads are still open, meaning that tourists or other motorists could encounter – with difficulties due to heavy snow.

“Winter driving conditions are likely, especially for the Cottonwood Canyons,” one of Utah’s warnings said. “If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of emergency.”

The Winter Storm Warning will remain in effect until midnight Friday night for locations in Utah.

Parts of Colorado can expect winter storm warnings to remain in place until Sunday noon local time.

“Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulation 1 to 2 feet. Winds gusting to 45 mph,” the NWS office in Pueblo, Colo., said in the winter storm warning.

In Colorado, heavy snow was expected in the La Garita Mountains and eastern San Juan Mountains. The NWS Pueblo office also had winter storm warnings for the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The NWS office in Grand Junction, Colorado had winter storm warnings for the northwestern San Juan Mountains, southwestern San Juan Mountains, and eastern Uinta Mountains.

“Roads are likely to become slippery and dangerous. Travel could be very difficult or impossible,” the warning said. “People should delay all travel if possible. If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility.”

Elsewhere in the U.S., several states were experiencing cold temperatures, with frost warnings or frost warnings for parts of Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, New York and Vermont as of Friday afternoon.