Currently — December 13th, 2022

December 12, 2022

What you need to know, currently.

 Large natural avalanches struck houses and closed roadways. Avalanches near Hailey dammed the Big Wood River and caused minor flooding (City of Hailey photo). Conditions remain very dangerous. Avalanche warnings run through Tuesday AM. Visit https://t.co/OSS5JgGpu8 for details. pic.twitter.com/dnMQd6pSDK— Sawtooth Avalanche Center (@SawtoothAvy) December 12, 2022 

A winter storm blanketed the American West over the weekend, covering the mountain areas with snow. It is now set to make its way across the U.S., bringing blizzard conditions, tornadoes and flooding this week.

The storm has already inundated parts of the West with avalanche warnings, shutting down major highways as ice blankets the roads. In fact, more than 10 million people in more than a dozen  states are under some level of weather alert as well as a multiday severe storm threat. Blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of eastern Wyoming and central Nebraska.

The storm will strengthen as it moves east. It will bring snow to the Rockies Monday night, while the Upper Midwest, and northern and central Plains will see heavy snowfall Monday night into Tuesday.

“The highest snow totals are currently forecast for western South Dakota and northwestern Nebraska,” according to Currently’s Chief Meteorologist Megan Montero. “Winds will also increase with this storm system.”

Montero broke down what the Plains can expect with this system —

“Blizzard conditions are expected. In order for a storm to be called a blizzard, it MUST meet these 3 requirements:

1) Sustained wind or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater.

2) Considerable falling and/or blowing snow reducing visibility to under a quarter mile.

3) These conditions must continue for at least three consecutive hours.”  

—Aarohi Sheth

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