The FOX Forecast Center is tracking a potent storm system bringing snow to the Rockies and will usher in frigid temperatures behind it.
DENVER – A storm system pushing through the Rockies and Plains has enough cold air to work with that widespread snow has broken out and will continue through Friday and into the busy travel weekend as Americans head home from the Thanksgiving holiday.
The FOX Forecast Center says the higher elevations in Utah, Wyoming and Colorado are expected to pick up well over a foot of snow, while communities around Salt Lake City, Denver and Wichita, Kansas, could see several inches of snow.
Snow on Utahs SR 210 on Friday morning.
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And for those hitting the road to go back home, the combination of cold air and snow could lead to travel disruptions on interstates 25, 70 and 80 through the Rockies and Plains.
For the more southern communities in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, this storm system could provide the first round of snowfall since the spring.
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Nearly 8 million Americans are included in winter weather alerts due to the snowfall and frigid air.
Most of Colorado is included in a Winter Weather Advisory for snow accumulations between 2 and 5 inches expected to fall through Saturday.
The National Weather Service is warning motorists that roads will likely become slick, which could impact travelers on Black Friday and cold weather shelters have been opened in several communities.
WINTER STORM WARNING CRITERIA FOR U.S. REVAMPED BY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
The forecast for Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
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“This cold air extends into the Plains,” FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar said. “I think that one thing to highlight because this is going to be a big snowmaker for the I-70 and I-80 corridors. So, you need to be aware of that as we move into central Kansas, even into southern Nebraska.”
Whether you’re flying or driving in these areas, you’ll need to allow for some extra time to reach your destination safely.
Sunday travel forecast
The storm system bringing snow to the Plains and Rockies will move into the Midwest and Great Lakes region by Sunday, which could lead to delays on the roads and at the airport in cities like Chicago.
The storm system will push off to the east as we head into the weekend and will bring snow to the Midwest and Great Lakes region by Sunday, which is expected to be one of the busiest travel days of the year.
Any snow accumulations in those regions are expected to be light, and above-freezing temperatures will keep a majority of the precipitation falling in the form of rain.
Still, those who are catching flights back home out of Chicago may encounter some delays as the light snow could be just enough to potentially disrupt flights and slow down travelers on the roads across Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan.
The FOX Forecast Center says that to the east, light rain will break out from Texas to the mid-Atlantic ahead of a weak cold front, and those low clouds could lead to some minor delays at airports in the New York City and Washington, D.C. areas.
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