Winter Storm Xylia's One Benefit For the Rockies and High Plains

 Published: March 13, 2021

Winter Storm Xylia will be a disruptive, high-impact snowstorm for parts of the Rockies and adjacent High Plains this weekend, but it will also bring one benefit: drought help.

Severe drought conditions have covered the Southwest and much of the Plains since the summer of 2019.

As of March 9, more than 54% of the High Plains climate region is experiencing a severe drought. Around 19% of this region, which includes Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, Nebraska and the Dakotas, is experiencing extreme or exceptional drought, the highest levels of drought severity.

Drought Status

At least some relief is on the way.

A major winter storm is expected to sweep through the Four Corners and western Plains this weekend with some of the heaviest snow in years. Any rain or snow in this region will help alleviate long-term water concerns.

For the latest details on timing, snowfall totals and possible disruptions from Winter Storm Xylia, please read our latest forecast article here.

Winter Storm Xylia is expected to bring more than a foot of snow to parts of Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota.

The snow itself isn't as important as the water that it holds and will release in the warmer months ahead.

This storm will have deposited 1-2 inches of water over a widespread section of the High Plainsonce all of the snow is melted in the upcoming weeks. Some computer models are suggesting even more.

You won't see this water all at once since it will initially be trapped in snow. The areas in white in the graphic below show where this snow will be. As long as a slow melting takes place there, water will run off into streams, rivers and reservoirs without flood concerns.

This slow-release drip should help alleviate water concerns well into the warm season.

In communities where precipitation falls as plain rain, there may be some flood concerns, as detailed here. This is because all of the falling water will immediately begin to run off into waterways, streets and urban areas.

March is often the snowiest month of the year in the Rockies and Northern Plains because Gulf of Mexico moisture reaches more northerly locations.

The jet stream continues to push pulses of energy over the Rockies during the spring months. These pulses of energy often become strong low pressure systems that become winter storms and severe weather events in the Plains.

These storms can reduce drought conditions during the spring months to varying degrees.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.