Now A Bomb Cyclone, Blizzard Warning Extends From Denver To Near Minneapolis

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EDIT

Wesley has strengthened sufficiently to meet criteria as a "bomb cyclone," according to NOAA Weather Prediction Center senior forecaster David Roth. According to Weather Underground meteorologist Bob Henson, a storm doesn't have to deepen by a full 24 millibars in 24 hours if it's located south of 60 degrees North latitude, since these type of nontropical low-pressure systems tend to be weaker at lower latitudes. The original 1980 study that coined the term "bomb," therefore, suggested adjusting the more common definition by latitude.

Wesley could also flirt with all-time April low-pressure records in parts of the Plains.

Happening Now

Snow from Wesley is ongoing across the northern and central Rockies as well the northern Plains and parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Thundersnow was reported early Wednesday in parts of South Dakota, including in Pierre, the state's capital city. Up to a foot of snow has already been estimated near Red Elm, South Dakota, which is about a two-hour drive northwest of Pierre.

Wednesday into Wednesday night, we expect the surface low to be intensifying somewhere over the central Plains, with a broad area of rain or snow and strong winds from the High Plains to the upper Midwest. In some areas, precipitation may start as rain, then change over to wet snow. Freezing rain and sleet may affect southeast South Dakota, northern Iowa, southern Minnesota and parts of Wisconsin.

EDIT

https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2019-04-08-winter-storm-wesley-plains-blizzard-april