January-like cold to spill across West during 1st week of April
Residents across the Western states may be double-checking their calendars as a burst of cold air sends temperatures tumbling to potentially record low levels. AccuWeather meteorologists say for some across the interior, the shivering will be accompanied by heavy snow.
After a relentless barrage of storms in California over the past few months, the past week has featured quieter weather across The Golden State. The upcoming pattern will bring additional snow to the Sierra Nevada, as well as unusually cold air to the state, but spare the region from the heavy rain and destructive winds that made regular appearances during the winter.
A southward plunge of the jet stream will send cold air southward across the West during the first few days of April. Temperatures can dip 15-25 degrees Fahrenheit below the historical average, more on par with the middle of winter than the start of April.
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Seattle's high temperature was 48 F on Monday and is expected to be around 50 F on Tuesday when highs in the upper 50s are more commonplace at this point in the year. Similar temperature differences compared to the historical average are expected in Boise, Idaho.
In Salt Lake City, where temperatures are typically near 60 at this point in the year, highs will struggle to get to 40 degrees through Tuesday.
The chilly air will spill as far southward as California and portions of the Desert Southwest, according to AccuWeather forecasters, with gusty winds accompanying the cooler conditions.
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Temperatures may dip low enough to challenge record levels across the interior West, both during the daytime and nighttime hours.
AccuWeather meteorologists say a new storm will form along the leading edge of the cold push across the West. Eventually, this storm is expected to gain significant strength over the nation's midsection and unleash another blizzard for the northern Plains and a major severe weather and tornado outbreak for the Midwest, less than five days after a deadly and damaging outbreak struck the same region.
During its early life span, the storm is forecast to drop heavy snow across the interior West, including Salt Lake City and Cheyenne, Wyoming, early in the week. In both cities, enough snow to disrupt daily routines and travel is expected.
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In the highest terrain of the Wasatch Range and central Rockies, as well as portions of eastern Wyoming, snowfall totals are expected to be measured in feet with an AccuWeather Local StormMax™ of 60 inches.
The Alta Ski Area southeast of Salt Lake City surpassed the 800-inch mark for the season at the end of March, and the upcoming storm will unload another hefty helping of powder to the resort and others across the region.
Given the magnitude of the cold push, snowflakes could even fly at some lower elevations across the Northwest early this week, but little in the way of accumulation is expected.
Chilly air with lingering snow showers and flurries can last into the middle of the week across the interior West, but AccuWeather meteorologists say a gradual rebound in temperatures can be expected during the latter part of the week and next weekend.
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