AccuWeather Global Weather Center – December 26, 2018 – As cold air plunges southward, heavy snow and treacherous travel will threaten the Four Corners region beginning on Thursday night.

While ski resorts, winter sports enthusiasts and snow lovers will be delighted by the upcoming weather, the snow could prove to be disruptive for those hitting the road toward the end of the week.

A shot of arctic air will plunge into the West and Rockies late this week, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jack Boston.

Snow will accompany the leading edge of this fresh wave of cold, with snowflakes expected to first fly across the Great Basin on Thursday.

The snow will quickly ramp up in intensity as it spreads into portions of northern and eastern Arizona, southern Colorado and much of New Mexico Thursday night through Friday.

Roads may initially be wet due to relatively mild weather ahead of the storm. However, as cold air takes hold, the snow can quickly accumulate on the pavement.

Enough snow for shovels and plows to be needed is forecast for places such as Winslow, Arizona, and Gallup, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Tucumcari, Truth or Consequences and Roswell, New Mexico.

Albuquerque may pick up its largest snowfall of the season so far with this storm, as 3-6 inches of snow are forecast to fall. The city’s largest snowfall so far this winter is 0.3 of an inch on Dec. 2.

People heading out to work on Friday morning in the city should use extreme care, as snow will have already begun by this time.

The storm may strengthen just far enough east of Flagstaff, Arizona, for this area to miss out on the heaviest snow. Still, enough snow to make for slick travel around the town is expected on Thursday night and early Friday.

Download the free AccuWeather app to see how much snow is expected in your area