A potent storm system moving into the Inter-Mountain West will dump more than half a metre of snow in higher elevations of the Wasatch and northern Rockies.

Salt Lake City could see up to 50mm of of wet snow from the storm and totals could top half a metre in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

It will be windy in the Southwest in association with the front from the storm. Sustained winds of 35-55 kph with gusts over 80 kph are expected. Winds should gust in excess of 70 kph at Albuquerque, Santa Fe and El Paso and as high as 100 kph in the higher elevations.

Temperatures will be well below average in the Desert Southwest. Phoenix, for example, will struggle to get out of the teens with showers likely. 

TWC