Snow is expected across parts of seven states through Monday night, with the best chance of accumulation on higher terrain and mostly slush on the roads below. Any slush left overnight could freeze into hard ruts as temperatures drop on Tuesday, when tall vehicles and trailers could also face strong crosswinds in parts of the region.
Where The Snow Is Falling
AccuWeather expects colder air to pull into the system as it tracks from the Rockies toward the Dakotas, western Minnesota and the eastern half of Montana, with heavier snow developing below the highest terrain. Higher ground in Wyoming and Colorado gets rain mixed with wet snow. Accumulation is forecast from northwestern Nebraska and the eastern edge of Wyoming into southwestern North Dakota, and Denver should miss most of it.
How Much Snow Is Forecast
The Weather Prediction Center is more cautious than the private outlook, calling temperatures marginal and noting that snow falling before sunrise stands a better chance of sticking:
- Black Hills: several inches possible according to Bob Smerbeck, a senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, while the Weather Prediction Center puts the chance of at least 2 inches at 20 to 30 percent.
- Rapid City: slushy accumulation on Monday, mostly on unpaved surfaces, though KOTA meteorologist Ryan Hill calls it uncertain.
- Northeast of the Black Hills: 1 to 2 inches in a narrow band, a trace to half an inch around it.
- Western Nebraska: snow mixing with rain by late morning Monday, with brief bursts that could cut visibility but little to no accumulation, according to the National Weather Service in North Platte.
How Slush Affects Tires, Steering And Braking
Snow that falls on pavement above freezing quickly turns to slush instead of packing down. Slush cuts traction because the tire has to push a mix of water and ice out of the way before the tread can grip the road.
Shallow tread leaves less room in the grooves to move that mix, and at highway speed the tire can start to ride on top of it. Steering feels light and stopping distances get longer. Slush also piles into ridges between lanes, and running one side of the car through a ridge can pull the steering toward it, so lane changes are safer taken slowly.
Related: Buying Winter tires? Here’s What You Need To Know Before Spending Big
Wipers And Washer Fluid In Truck Spray
Slush thrown up by passing trucks covers a windshield faster than rain. Summer washer fluid can freeze in the lines once temperatures drop below 32 degrees, and without fluid the wipers smear slush across the glass instead of clearing it. A winter fluid with a freezing point rated for the temperatures ahead lowers that risk.
High Wind Watch For Trucks, Campers And Trailers
The National Weather Service in Riverton has a high wind watch from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Tuesday for the Green Mountains and Rattlesnake Range and lower Natrona County, including Casper and Jeffrey City, with southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph gusting to 60 and stronger gusts possible along South Pass and Outer Drive in Casper. The watch says travel could be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles, which covers pickups with campers, vans, box trucks and anything towing a trailer.
Tall, flat sides give a crosswind more surface to push against. Lower speed gives the driver more time to correct when a gust moves the vehicle toward the next lane or the shoulder.
Related: Is Your Car Ready for Snow? Here’s a Winter Maintenance Checklist to Find Out
Gravel Roads And Refrozen Ruts On Tuesday
AccuWeather expects unpaved surfaces to accumulate first, which in the Black Hills means ranch roads, forest service roads and trailhead lots, where snow over soft ground quickly turns to mud. KOTA then has Rapid City dropping into the upper 20s on Tuesday, cold enough for slush left on the roads Monday night to freeze into hard ruts.
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