Winter Weather Advisories Issued For 7 States; 12 Inches Of Snow Possible In Utah

Winter weather advisories have been issued for seven states as heavy snow is expected to hit Utah, Oregon, Nevada, Montana, Idaho, Colorado and Wyoming. Forecasters have warned up to 12 inches of snow accumulations are possible in some parts of Utah.

"Widespread rain and snow across the West with some heavy snow possible in the mountains," the Weather Prediction Center (WPC) said Sunday.

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) said late Sunday that a winter storm was expected to bring "road impacts to much of the state, as well as heavy mountain snowfall."

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Salt Lake City warned that six to 12 inches of snow accumulations were possible in the Bear River and Ogden Valley from Monday morning through Tuesday noon.

In Oregon, the agency warned of hazardous travel conditions "across Cascade mountain passes" due to heavy snow and gusty winds.

In Nevada, the NWS forecasted the highest snow accumulations in the Warner mountains, Surprise Valley and northern Washoe County. It said up to four inches of snow was expected in these areas.

The NWS in Great Falls, Montana, issued multiple snow squall warnings about "dangerous life-threatening travel."

Snow squalls are considered "a key wintertime hazard" as they lead to icy roads within minutes and also trigger gusty winds, falling temperatures and quick visibility reductions.

The NWS in Pocatello, Idaho, warned the gusty winds with snow will become "more widespread Sunday night into Monday." The agency urged commuters to allow for extra time during their travels Monday morning.

Weather forecasters noted that residents in Colorado should expect "a difficult Tuesday AM commute."

In Wyoming, the highest snow accumulation is expected in the Steamboat Springs and Vail areas, with up to eight inches of snow possible.

Winter weather advisory in Utah effective from Monday morning through 2 p.m. Tuesday:

• Wasatch Back, also Northern Wasatch Front, Salt Lake Valley, Tooele and Rush Valleys, Utah Valley, Central Mountains and Southern Mountains

Winter weather advisory in Utah effective from Monday morning through 7 p.m. Tuesday:

• Western Uinta Mountains, Wasatch Mountains South of I-80

Winter weather advisory in Oregon effective through 4 p.m. Monday:

• Wallowa County
• Ochoco-John Day Highlands
• Baker County
• Siskiyous, including South Central Oregon Cascades and Southern Oregon Cascades from Howard Prairie Lake northward

Winter weather advisory in Nevada effective from Monday morning through 4 p.m. Tuesday:

• Northern Elko County
• Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt Range

Winter weather advisory in Montana effective through 9 a.m. Monday:

• Gallatin Valley, including Gallatin County Mountains, Madison County Mountains, Centennial Mountains, Northwest Beaverhead County, Ruby Mountains and Southern Beaverhead Mountains

Winter weather advisory in Idaho effective through 10 p.m. Monday:

• Northern Clearwater Mountains, Southern Clearwater Mountains, Orofino, Grangeville Region, Lower Hells Canyon, Salmon River Region
• Central Panhandle Mountains, Idaho Palouse, Lewis County, Southern Nez Perce County, Lewiston area, Owyhee Mountains, Southern Twin Falls County and Southwest Highlands

Winter weather advisory in Idaho effective through 5 p.m. Monday:

• Boise Mountains and West Central Mountains

Winter weather advisory in Idaho effective through 5 a.m. Tuesday:

• Sun Valley Region, Sawtooth and Stanley Basin

Winter weather advisory in Colorado effective from Monday afternoon through 5 p.m. Tuesday:

• Upper Yampa River Basin, Central Colorado River Basin and Central Yampa River Basin
• Grand Mesa, Battlement Mesa, Northwestern San Juan Mountains, Southwest San Juan Mountains, Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide
• Sawatch Mountains, West Elk Mountains, Gore Mountains and Central Mountain Valleys

Winter weather advisory in Wyoming effective through 5 p.m. Monday:

• Absaroka Mountains
• Jackson Hole
• Wind River Mountains
• Star Valley, Salt River and Wyoming Ranges