Hills set to get winter's first major snow, rain in northern plains over next 6 days

Incoming Storm , Could Boost Water Level , Recovery at Lake Mead. 'Newsweek' reports that a Pacific storm is expected to bring "widespread precipitation" to a large portion of the United States. Widespread precipitation with the next Pacific storm driven by a strong extended jet stream - a cold front and atmospheric river is expected Thursday with much colder air for Friday and lower snow levels, National Weather Service office in San Diego, via X. The deluge of rain is also expected to benefit water levels at Lake Mead, which are already 26 feet higher than the same time in 2023. Following years of drought, Lake Mead hit alarmingly low levels in the summer of 2022. . Above-average precipitation during the winter helped water levels at the reservoir begin to recover in 2023. National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Chris Outler told 'Newsweek' that any rain-producing storm system in the Colorado River basin will benefit Lake Mead. . The lake will definitely be getting some of the rain, and so will the basins that drain into the lake. We'll take anything we can get, Chris Outler, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist, via 'Newsweek'. 'Newsweek' reports that a majority of Lake Mead's recovery can be attributed to snow melt that feeds into the Colorado River every spring. At the end of November, water levels at Lake Mead began increasing again, after maintaining levels since September. . As of January 30, Lake Mead has reached 1,072 feet, which represents a four foot increase since the beginning of the month.