ANOTHER Nor'easter risk next week: What we know now

Thursday, March 1, 2018, 3:31 PM - As one storm moves offshore, another develops. We're keeping a close eye on a developing system that could bring another round of heavy snow and strong winds from the Great Lakes and eastward. Here's what we know as of now.

• Colorado low develops early next week
• Could bring up to a foot of snow to northern Plains/Upper Midwest
• Severe weather in association with the storm possible for the Southeast 
• Low could intensify into Nor'easter for second half of next week
• Storm still far out. Check beck regularly for updates

How the system develops:

After a very dry start to February in the West, we finally have had large moisture laden systems tracking into the California coast bringing beneficial rains from today through weekend. The West gets a fresh coating (and by that we mean 3 ft) of snow for local skiers to close out February. With much of the snowpack on the Sierra Nevada at only 20% the average throughout most of winter, this new round of snow should have people jumping for joy! 

It is the aforementioned energy that will cross the high peaks of the Rockies and redevelop in the lee of the mountains by Sunday (thus becoming a 'Colorado Low'). This low will track to the Great Lakes bringing a mixed bag of weather for everyone involved. 

Visit our Complete Guide to Spring 2018 for an in depth look at the Spring Forecast, tips to plan for it and much more.

If you live east of the Rockies, you may have been enjoying an early taste of Spring -- that will change again this weekend and into next week.

The weather pattern for the last week of February featured days above-seasonal with temperatures reaching 60's and 70's and major flooding for the Mid-South and the Midwest. At one point 64 river gauges were at Major Flood Stage. 

The next system that develops will be a faster moving system to start off the work week. The Colorado Low could bring anything from tornadoes for the Deep South to blizzard conditions in the North.

Click play to watch below: Storm track (subject to change, check back for updates)

The Breakdown:

Sunday

• Snow for much of the high plains and into the northern Plains through Sunday morning.
• Throughout Sunday afternoon we will see rain start to fill in near the center of the Low with rain reaching into the Upper Midwest in the warm sector of the storm.
• A cold front takes shape from Eastern Kansas all the way to the Gulf Coast with rain and embedded thunderstorms.

Monday

• Storm tracks northeast and in the morning hours we will see rain from Des Moines, IA down to Dallas, TX.
• Expect heavy snow and possibly even blizzard conditions over much of Minnesota, Iowa, western Wisconsin, and eastern Nebraska.
• As the day goes on the rain spreads south through the Mississippi Valley along the cold front and severe thunderstorms are possible ahead of the cold front.
• A long swath of mixed wintry precipitation, including freezing rain, sleet, and snow, stretches along the back edge of the system through the Mississippi Valley, and is likely to pass through Detroit.

What is a Colorado Low

A Colorado Low is an area of low pressure that develops east of the Rockies and most commonly (although not always) moves towards the Great Lakes and have a general east to northeast movement. It draws up moisture from the south in the Gulf of Mexico and battles very cold air from Canada in the north. The boundary between the two air masses is where we watch for a strong storm to form. They can be known for being heavy snow makers and in the Spring and Fall seasons can be responsible for severe weather events. 

This is a developing storm and forecast details will be refined leading up to the storm. Check back here, on Facebook and Twitter in the days ahead for updates.