Many ski resorts from the Northwest to the Northern Rockies to the Sierra will pick up 4-12 inches of snow over the next 5 days. Although there are no ski resorts open yet, this upcoming pattern is just another sign that the seasons are changing and winter is not far off.

View → Total Snow Forecast Map

Check out our snow forecast range chart for Schweitzer. Most models are projecting 7-10 inches of snow at mid-mountain. Also, in the bottom chart, we show the changeover from rain to snow occurring on Saturday evening as a cold front moves through.

Forecast for Fri (Oct 10) to Sat (Oct 11):

Rain will fall across much of the West as a storm system moves into the Northwest, while the Southwest and Central Rockies will see moisture from the remnants of former Hurricane Priscilla in the Pacific. Snow levels will be very high initially.

A cold front will first reach British Columbia and Alberta from the north during the day on Sunday, with falling snow levels and a changeover from rain to snow in the mountains. 

Forecast for Sat Night to Sun (Oct 12):

The cold front will move south into the Western U.S. with rain changing to snow at most ski areas across the Northwest and Northern Rockies. The Canadian Rockies, Eastern BC, Montana, and the Cascades are favored for the highest snow totals. Snow will also reach Utah, while Northern Colorado will see a light dusting.

Forecast for Sun Night to Mon (Oct 13):

Snow showers will continue across the Northwest and Northern Rockies on the backside of the first storm, and snow levels will also be low (for October) with a colder airmass in place.

Forecast for Mon Night to Tue (Oct 14):

The second storm will begin to deepen near the West Coast with snow developing across the Sierra Nevada Range, including Tahoe and Mammoth. Light snow showers will also fall over the Cascades and Northern Rockies.

Forecast for Tue Night to Wed (Oct 15):

Snow will continue to fall across the Sierra, with respectable multi-day totals expected for this early in the season. Light snow showers can also be expected over the Northern Rockies with higher snow levels compared to earlier in the week. 

Outlook for Thu (Oct 16) to Mon (Oct 20):

The early week storm over the Sierra will slowly work its way into the Interior West late next week with increasing snow chances across the Rockies. Temperatures will generally be cooler than average west of the Divide and warmer than average east of the Divide.

Cooler air is also expected to move into the Northeast late next week, with warmer-than-average temperatures over the central part of the U.S. and across most of Canada. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (Oct 13).

Alan Smith