Widespread heavy snow will begin tonight in the northwestern U.S. and is expected to continue through Wednesday.

As the Pacific Northwest waits for a significant snow event, the Midwest and Northeast are forecast to see a quick shot of snow that could possibly disrupt the Tuesday morning commute.

Critical fire weather conditions will develop today across northeast California and northwest Nevada, where wind gusts will exceed 50 mph coupled with humidities ranging from the teens to lower 20 percent. This is in response to a strong cold front that will plunge south and east today through the Great Basin, northern and central Rockies, and northern Great Plains, dropping temperatures below seasonal values.

The Pacific Northwest is undergoing a dramatic change in weather to make it feel more like winter.

As the winter weather event winds down over the eastern half of the U.S., another will kick into high gear over the northwestern U.S. for the weekend.

Snow is falling in and around the Great Lakes, and it will continue to spread through the Ohio Valley and into the higher elevations of the Northeast through Friday.

Strong winds will return to the center of the country as a robust cold front dives south Tuesday night into Wednesday. Sustained winds of at least 30 mph, with higher gusts, plummeting temperatures and snow will accompany this system.

Hazardous winter driving conditions are expected along with reduced visibilities in snow for portions of the southern Rockies and adjacent Plains through Monday. The heaviest accumulations are expected in the mountainous terrain of New Mexico, where totals will generally range from 6 to 10 inches above 7,500 feet.

A strong wind event is shaping up for Saturday night and Sunday across portions of southern California. Locals call it Santa Ana winds.

Temperatures will be 15 to 20 degrees above average over the Upper/Mid-Mississippi Valley and into the Mid-Atlantic today. Forecast highs include 42 in Minneapolis (19 degrees above average), 53 in Des Moines (22 degrees above average), 56 in Kansas City (18 degrees above average) and 55 in Philadelphia (15 degrees above average).