A snow-laden storm spanning nearly half a million square kilometers called Winter Storm Kaiden is about to sweep across the United States.
Caiden threatens to dump up to a foot of snow in parts of the American West and South before the weekend.
Storm warnings were issued across the region as the National Weather Service (NOAA) urged people to prepare for travel chaos and deadly flooding.
Caiden will sweep California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico through midweek.
Snow is expected to reach a foot
Weather channel
While the storm will mostly be over by Thursday night, warnings remain in place for continued “disturbed weather” this weekend.
“Winter Storm Kayden is impacting the west right now, and will bring some heavy snow as it makes its way across the Rocky Mountains into the northern Plains and eventually moves east,” Weather Channel Meteorologist Domenica Davis said.
“We have this storm through Thursday and into Friday as well before the snow starts to go away.
“In terms of snowfall, we could get a foot or more at some of the higher elevations.”
Storm Kaiden, named by the Weather Channel, sparked a group of severe weather warnings spanning an area of more than 400,000 square kilometres.
Caiden is expected to sweep heavy bands of snow eastward midweek into eastern Montana and western North Dakota.
Experts warn that strong winds will sweep away heavy snow, leading to dangerous travel conditions.
Storm Kaiden will hit California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.
Weather channel
They say up to a foot of snow could fall on hills and mountains in the next 24 hours.
The storm will begin to calm down before the weekend although the picture will remain unsettled into next week.
“The Weather Channel named Winter Storm Kaiden due to winter storm warnings covering more than 400,000 square kilometers of the western United States,” said Linda Lam, a meteorologist at The Weather Channel.
“Snow will increase across the Interior West on Wednesday and continue into Thursday, and strong winds combined with heavy snow will create hazardous travel conditions.
“Kayden's snowfall will end Thursday night in the northern Plains, but disturbed weather will continue across much of the West through the end of the week.”
Meanwhile, over the eastern side of the United States, a cloud of warm air will bring in an early taste of spring.
Tropical winds from the Gulf of Mexico will cause temperatures in some central, southern and eastern states to rise to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Storm Kaiden triggered a group of severe weather warnings extending over an area of more than 400,000 square kilometers
National Weather Service
A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) spokesperson said: “High temperatures will remain broadly above average in the central and eastern parts of the country, with well above average conditions in the upper Midwest and Great Lakes.
“Forecast highs in the 40s, 50s and even some low 60s are more than 25-35 degrees above average.
“Some record-breaking/high temperatures are possible.”
But the battle between hot and cold will raise the risk of thunderstorms and even tornadoes.
Jim Dale, a social commentator and US correspondent for the British Meteorological Service, said: “Warmth and moisture are coming out of the Gulf of Mexico, and ahead of the weekend, that will bring a risk of stormy conditions.
He added: “We are looking at thunderstorms in the area, and possibly the threat of tornadoes.”
