Desert climates in two states could experience heavy snowfall and dropping temperatures as an atmospheric river progresses inland after lashing the West Coast.
The atmospheric river arrived in California on Thursday, bringing excessive rainfall. The system will bring perilous weather, including heavy snow and strong winds, to several states as it continued its trek eastward. A cold front will drop temperatures across much of the western U.S., including in parts of the Great Basin Desert in Utah, and in desert mountains across much of New Mexico over the weekend.
"This will be affecting much of the western U.S. over the next 24 to 48 hours," NWS meteorologist Michael Anand told Newsweek.
The incoming storm prompted a special weather statement to be issued for much of New Mexico, warning residents that snow upwards of 10 inches could fall in some of the mountainous regions.
"The above normal temperatures and calm and dry conditions of the past few days will quickly turn more unsettled as a weather disturbance approaches New Mexico," a weather alert from the National Weather Service (NWS) said on Thursday. "Rain and snow will begin late this afternoon and into the evening across western New Mexico before spreading eastward through Friday."
The report warned that snow levels will be "fairly high" around elevations of 9,000 feet but would then descend to the valley floor on Friday night and into Saturday.
"The heavier snow is expected in the highest elevations of the northern mountains where amounts of 6 to 10 inches will be common above 9,000 feet," the alert said.
Amounts could be higher at peaks above 10,000 feet.
The storm system also will bring heavy snow to the mountainous desert regions in southwest Utah, specifically in the Brian Head area, where 12 to 24 inches of snow will fall. The heavy snow prompted the NWS to issue warnings to motorists, as "travel could be very difficult."
"If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency," the warning said.
It is not uncommon for the desert mountains in Utah to receive heavy snowfall.
Several alerts were issued for both states, including a winter weather advisory and a winter storm warning in Utah and a high-wind watch and winter weather advisory along with the special weather statement in New Mexico.
In addition to heavy snowfall in elevated areas, the storm prompted fears of flooding in California. A second, more severe atmospheric river, is expected to follow, hitting the West Coast on Sunday.
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