Storm socks central region
Winter system could stretch 1,700 miles
Colorado, Nebraska and other parts of the central U.S. were facing a major snow storm Wednesday that broke records in Arizona.
And it could cross more than 1,700 miles of the country.
Swaths of the eastern Rockies, the Plains, and the upper Midwest were under winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories Wednesday, and parts of Nebraska could see additional snow accumulations of up to 17 inches.
The National Weather Service had issued a winter storm warning for nine states as of Wednesday morning.
The storm could move all the way to parts of Michigan.
Areas in the northern part of the state are under a winter storm watch, which will remain in effect until Thursday night.
Here’s what you need to know as winter weather systems intensify this week:
What can Michigan expect?
The National Weather Service in Gaylord, Michigan, on Wednesday afternoon said heavy snow is likely, with snow accumulations of 4 to 8 inches expected in the area.
The heaviest snow is expected on Thursday morning.
Winds will also likely “gust to between 30 and 40 mph,” according to the weather service.
“Plan on snow-covered and slippery road conditions,” the weather service shared.
“The hazardous conditions will likely impact the morning and evening commutes.”
Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa stare down snow
The storm has stretched over the Four Corners region and is continuing to impact Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; Green Bay, Wisconsin, stretching into and even covering parts of Michigan by Thursday, according to AccuWeather and the National Weather Service.
Denver had recorded more than 7 inches of snow by 5 a.m. local time Wednesday, and totals were expected to rise, the Denver Post reported.
Fort Collins, Colorado, received 4 to 5 inches of snow as of Wednesday morning, according to Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network reports.
Record-breaking snowfall in northern Arizona
More than 2 feet of snow fell over two days across parts of northern Arizona, becoming the 25th largest snow event in Flagstaff history and breaking the record for single-day snow accumulation.
The Flagstaff Airport measured 14.8 inches on Sunday, smashing the record of 8.9 inches that was held for 45 years.
As the snow continued to fall, accumulation eventually reached 30 inches at the airport by Tuesday morning.
Another storm is in the forecast later this week and could bring an extra 4 to 5 inches of snow to Flagstaff.
How much snow should Colorado expect?
Different cities in Colorado will see different snow accumulations.
Here is the weather service’s forecast for the coming days, as of Tuesday:
● Fort Collins: 8-12 inches
● Greeley: 8-12 inches
● Estes Park: 6-8 inches
● Red Feather Lakes: 8-12 inches
● Boulder: 8-12 inches
● Denver: 8-12 inches
● Denver International Airport: 8-12 inches
● Fort Morgan: 8-12 inches
● Sterling: 8-12 inches
● Julesburg: 12-18 inches
● Holyoke: 12-18 inches
● Akron: 12-18 inches
● Wray: 8-12 inches
● Cheyenne, Wyoming: 6-8 inches
What if I need to travel?
A winter storm warning “indicates that heavy snow of at least 6 inches in 12 hours, or at least 8 inches in 24 hours, is expected,” according to the National Weather Service. But if you have travel plans in the coming days, you should know that a warning “indicates that conditions pose a threat to life or property, and that travel will become difficult to impossible.”