Long Duration Winter Storm Likely This Week; April Blizzard is Coming

This is today's view (April 10, 2022) showing the virw over the ski slopes around Breckenridge, Colorado where winter sports fun continues. Image: Weatherboy — This is today’s view (April 10, 2022) showing the view over the ski slopes around Breckenridge, Colorado where winter sports fun continues. More winter weather –and even blizzard conditions– are possible north of here in the coming days. Image: Weatherboy

A long duration winter storm is likely this week across a broad portion of the western and central northern states, with blizzard conditions also expected even though the calendar says it’s April. Major to extreme winter storm impacts are possible across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota, and northwestern Minnesota.

The storm system will bring heavy snow to the Cascade through Monday, then the northern Intermountain West through the northern Plains tomorrow night into Tuesday, Wednesday, and even Thursday.

While the calendar says it is April, the weather will feel more like January as severe winter storm conditions are likely across many states this week. Image: NWS

According to the National Weather Service, a combination of heavy snow and strong wind gusts are likely to produce blizzard conditions from the eastern slopes of the northern Rockies across the northern Plains. While it is Spring, this winter storm has the potential to produce power outages, tree damage, and hazardous to impossible driving conditions. This type of winter storm can also be devastating to livestock, especially calves and lambs.

The National Weather Service urges people in states forecast to be impacted by this major winter storm to take the necessary precautions now to protect life and property.