At a Glance

A new storm system will continue to bring snow to the West early this week.The storm will intensify in the Plains, with snow and high winds by Wednesday.Blizzard conditions are expected in parts of the Plains.The Denver metro area could see snowfall from this storm.

A storm system that is already bringing snow to the West will push into the central states by midweek, triggering the development of an intense low-pressure system that will hammer parts of the Plains with blizzard conditions.

(MORE: Winter Storm Central)

This next storm is being spawned by two jet-stream disturbances, one that is located near California right now and another that will enter the Northwest by Tuesday. Those disturbances will combine over the West and give birth to a strong area of low pressure in the Plains by Wednesday.

A widespread area from the Cascades and interior Northwest to the Rockies and northern and central Plains will see accumulating snow from this storm through midweek, likely causing travel headaches. Some of the worst travel conditions will be in the Plains states.

This storm system is also expected to bring severe weather and heavy rain to parts of the central U.S. by midweek.

(MORE: Severe Storms and Heavy Rain Target Plains, Midwest)

Here's a look at the timing for the storm followed by a look at how much snow to expect.

Forecast Timing

Through Monday Night

Snow will spread from the mountains of Southern California into the higher elevations of the Four Corners region.

The Cascades, as well as low elevations in interior parts of Washington and Oregon, will see increasing snowfall by Monday night. Snow will likely impact travel on Interstate 90 in Washington, including Snoqualmie Pass.

Tuesday

Much of the snow from this storm will remain over the Northwest and Four Corners region on Tuesday. Snow will become more widespread throughout the Rockies overnight.

Some pockets of freezing rain could develop in the upper Midwest before warmer air turns it to plain rain.

Winds will begin to increase in the Plains and Southwest, particularly by Tuesday night.

Wednesday

The storm will reach its peak intensity in the Plains on Wednesday as the low-pressure system strengthens.

Snow and strong winds will impact the northern and central Plains, as well as the Rockies. This could include the Interstate 25 corridor in Colorado and Wyoming, including Denver and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Blizzard conditions are likely where the snow and strongest winds overlap in the Plains. That could trigger some interstate closures, potentially including Interstate 70 in Colorado and far northwestern Kansas and Interstate 80 in western Nebraska and Wyoming.

Areas that don't see snow from this storm in the Southwest and Plains will still see high winds. Wind gusts of 40 to 65 mph are likely in those regions on Wednesday.

The winds could cause localized power outages and tree damage and will also be a hazard for high-profile vehicles.

Thursday

Snow or rain changing to snow will move through the northern Plains and upper Mississippi Valley into Thursday night.

Strong winds will also continue to grip much of the northern and central Plains and Midwest.

Snowfall Forecast

West

The heaviest totals will be in the higher elevations, where a foot or more of snow will likely fall from the Cascades into parts of the Rockies. Lower elevations of the interior Northwest will also see accumulating snow, including Spokane, Washington.

Plains

Significant snow will spread across a swath from southeastern Wyoming and northeastern Colorado to western Nebraska, South Dakota, eastern North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. Snowfall totals of 6 to 12 inches are possible in some of the above-mentioned locations. Totals could exceed a foot from southeast Wyoming into central South Dakota.

The snowfall forecast for Denver is uncertain and will depend on the exact track of the storm as well as how quickly the transition from rain to snow occurs.