Snow falls in the Grand Canyon on Sunday (Jan. 24), with flurries falling on the road in Malibu, Calif. More than half of the United States is expected to experience snow, rain and ice from winter storms this week.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), two storm systems are expected to bring rain, snow and ice to nearly half of the United States this week.
One of the storms moved south through Northern California on Sunday night, and Accuweather Senior Meteorologist Alan Reppert told USA TODAY on Sunday that the storm front would then move through Southern California, dropping at least a feet of snow at higher elevations.
Snow is also expected to cover parts of Arizona and Colorado.
Snow had already begun to accumulate in the California mountains on Saturday and Sunday, even bringing dusting to the Malibu Beach area and hail to Long Beach.
“Traffic has started to get backed up. If heading to the mountains, be prepared for long waits. Fill your gas tanks to the brim and, don’t forget to bring your chains.” The Mt. Baldy Fire Department in Southern California (Mt. Baldy Fire Department) warned people on Twitter.
A week ago, temperatures soared to more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the region. On Sunday, temperatures in the area were near 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
According to an update from the U.S. Drought Monitor last Thursday (21), more than 95 percent of California is experiencing drought, while the rest of the state is unusually dry.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, snow is covering the Grand Canyon ridge. The National Park Service predicted that a larger storm would “reduce visibility” on Monday.
According to the forecast, the storm, which dropped heavy snow in Kansas on Monday, will cross the Plains State and head northeast through Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois by Tuesday.
More than 4 inches of snow is expected from central Kansas to southern Michigan, with more than 12 inches possible in northern Kansas, northwest Missouri, southeast Nebraska and southern Iowa, the NWS said.
Other states and regions are expected to see showers early in the week. Parts of Kansas, Ohio, Missouri and Indiana will be hit with rain and thunderstorms early Monday. A storm system will move into the lower Mississippi River and Tennessee Valley Monday evening.
“The primary hazards associated with severe thunderstorms are frequent lightning, damaging strong wind showers and hail; tornadoes are also possible.” The NWS said.
Another storm is also brewing in the Rockies and will later move into parts of Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and bring snowfall, Reppert said.
Recent Comments