Thousands of Americans face up to 10 inches of snow on Tuesday as wintry weather conditions arrive and temperatures plummet.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued winter weather advisories for Colorado and Wyoming until Tuesday evening.
The agency has also issued freeze watches and frost advisories in Idaho, Washington and Montana.
Why It Matters
The wintry conditions may create slippery and dangerous road conditions, especially when combined with freezing rain or sleet.
“Roads will be slick resulting in slow and hazardous travel over the high mountain passes. Allow extra time to reach your destination safely. First storms of the season can be the most hazardous,” the NWS said.
What To Know
In Colorado, a winter weather advisory has been issued until 6 p.m. on Tuesday for peaks along the Front Range, with snow accumulations of between 4 and 10 inches forecast.
The snow is expected to fall on the Rocky Mountain National Park, the Medicine Bow Mountains, the Summit County Mountains, the Mosquito Range and the Indian Peaks.
A winter weather advisory has also been issued in Wyoming until 6 p.m., with between 4 and 8 inches of snow forecast to fall above 8,500 feet in the Snowy Range.
A freeze watch has also been issued for other parts of Wyoming, with temperatures forecast to fall to as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit from late Tuesday through Wednesday morning.
Areas set to be affected include Carbon County, the north Snowy Range foothills, Shirley Basin, the upper North Platte River Basin and Laramie Valley.
Meanwhile, frost advisories have also been issued in Colorado, Idaho, Washington and Montana.
In Colorado, the advisory is in effect from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Wednesday in the San Luis Valley, where temperatures are forecast to plunge to between 32 and 35 degrees. A few areas may also see temperatures as low as 30 degrees.
In Idaho, the advisory is in effect until 9 a.m. on Tuesday, with temperatures set to plunge to 33 degrees. Areas affected include Arco/Mud Lake Desert and the Snake River Plain.
In Washington, an advisory is in effect until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, with temperatures set to fall to between 32 and 36 degrees, resulting in frost. Areas in the far northeast of the state are set to be affected.
Meanwhile in Montana, an advisory is in effect until 10 a.m., with temperatures also set to fall to between 32 and 36 degrees. Areas set to be affected include the Flathead/Mission valleys, Kootenai/Cabinet region, lower Clark Fork region and Missoula/Bitterroot valleys.
What People Are Saying
The National Weather Service said about conditions in Colorado: “Plan on slippery and slushy road conditions over the high mountain passes. The hazardous conditions will impact the Tuesday morning and evening commutes.”
The NWS said about the freezing conditions in Wyoming: “Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.”
The agency added: “Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold.”
What Happens Next
The winter weather advisories are currently set to remain in effect until Tuesday evening.
Regular updates regarding snow and temperature conditions are published throughout the day on the NWS’s website.