At a Glance

A new storm will enter the West early this week, bringing snow and rain to the region.The storm will intensify in the Plains and Midwest after Christmas.Parts of the Plains and Midwest will see strong winds and significant snow.Snow may also affect northern New England late-week.

A new storm system will bring snow to the West early this week and then pivot into the Plains and upper Midwest after Christmas, when it will intensify and lay down an expansive swath of wind-driven snow.

This next snowstorm will push through the West Monday and Tuesday before it heads across parts of the Plains, upper Midwest and northern New England Wednesday through Friday.

(MORE: Winter Storm Central)

Here's an overview of the forecast in each region, but keep in mind that changes are likely, so be sure to check for updates.

West Forecast

Rain and snow are currently spreading inland from the California and Oregon coasts as the system of note arrives from the Pacific.

Current Radar

The area of low pressure will move across the Sierra and southern Cascades Monday night into Tuesday and bring rain and mountain snow to parts of the region through Wednesday.

Winter storm warnings and winter weather advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service from the Sierra Nevada into parts of the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin and Rockies.

Winter Weather Alerts

(From the National Weather Service.)

Storm Timing

Monday-Monday Night (Graphical Forecast)

Snow will spread from the Oregon Cascades and the Sierra Nevada to parts of eastern Oregon, Nevada and the northern Rockies.Heavy snow and gusty winds could make travel dangerous, especially with increased holiday traffic. This includes Interstate 80 through Donner Pass in California.

Tuesday-Wednesday (Graphical Forecast)

Tuesday into Tuesday night, snow or rain changing to snow will spread from Nevada, southern Idaho and Utah into northern Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana.Snow may linger into Wednesday from New Mexico and northeastern Arizona northward into Colorado, Wyoming and eastern Montana.

Early-Week Snow and Rain Forecast

Plains, Midwest and New England Forecast

The storm will emerge and strengthen in the central Plains by midweek as an upper-level trough – a southward dip in the jet stream – ejects out of the West.

(MORE: Severe Storms, Heavy Rain Threaten the South Midweek)

Temperatures are expected to be cold enough on the northern side of this storm for significant amounts of snow to fall from the northern and central Plains into the upper Midwest and northern Great Lakes region.

Strong winds will accompany this system, which, when combined with the snow, could impact visibility and lead to near-blizzard conditions.

Storm Timing

Wednesday

Snow or a rain-and-snow mixture may affect a swath from the southern Rockies into northwestern Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas.Snow will spread through much of Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan later Wednesday or Wednesday night.Increasing winds are possible as well, depending on how quickly the storm intensifies.

Wednesday's Forecast

(The green shadings depict where rain is expected. Areas that are shaded blue are expected to see snow. Purple-shaded locations may see either rain or snow. Areas in pink are expected to see sleet or freezing rain (ice).)

Thursday

Snow or a rain-and-snow mixture may affect areas from the northern Oklahoma Panhandle to western Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin and northern Michigan.That said, there is considerable uncertainty when it comes to the locations that will see the most significant snowfall.Increasing winds are also likely through the Plains and upper Midwest, which will reduce visibility where snow is falling. Depending on the strength of the winds, we could see near-blizzard conditions develop in parts of the Plains.

Thursday's Forecast

(The green shadings depict where rain is expected. Areas that are shaded blue are expected to see snow. Purple-shaded locations may see either rain or snow. Areas in pink are expected to see sleet or freezing rain (ice).)

Friday

Wind-driven snow may continue to impact parts of the upper Midwest and northern Great Lakes.Portions of northern New England and northern New York could see snow or a rain-and-snow mix develop Thursday night through Friday.

Friday's Forecat

(The green shadings depict where rain is expected. Areas that are shaded blue are expected to see snow. Purple-shaded locations may see either rain or snow. Areas in pink are expected to see sleet or freezing rain (ice).)

How Much Snow?

It's too early to provide specific snowfall totals for the central and eastern states since the bulk of the snow doesn't occur there until Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Right now, it appears at least 6 inches of snow is likely from parts of the central and northern Plains into the upper Midwest and northern Great Lakes. Totals of up to a foot (possibly more) are also possible in areas that experience the heaviest snow.

Below is an overview of where the heaviest axis of snow could set up based on the latest forecast guidance available. Keep in mind, the area of heaviest snow could shift farther north or south in future forecast updates based on the track of the storm.

Snow Outlook

(It is too far out in time to specify exact forecast snowfall totals. However, areas in the purple contours have the highest chance at heavy snowfall.)