The storm system that brought widespread snow through the Northwest into the Rockies has now brought snow into the Sierra with deep early-season totals of 10-20+ inches. Resorts are still not open, but this early-season snowfall is certainly getting us excited and ready for winter! Additional light snow totals will continue to accumulate through the remainder of the week, with another storm moving into Canada this weekend.

View → Total Snow Forecast Map

Check out our snow forecast range chart for Jackson Hole. Most models are projecting 4-12 inches of snow (OS Blend = 5 inches) at mid-mountain. Also, in the bottom chart, we show that the precipitation type will begin as rain but change to snow on Wednesday evening.

Forecast for Wed (Oct 15) to Wed Night:

The storm in the Sierra will quickly weaken and send moisture into the intermountain west through Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Moisture amounts will be significantly less than in the Sierra, with only light snow accumulations expected, with the highest totals around the Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana border. 

Forecast for Thu (Oct 16) to Thu Night:

The storm system will now become semi-stationary across the Rockies and continue to bring light snow accumulations with the heaviest totals through the Teton region. Snow accumulations could approach 6-12+ inches from Wednesday through Thursday evening. Snow accumulations will be elevation dependent, with valley temperatures around freezing.

As this storm brings more early October snow through the Rockies, the next storm will enter off the Pacific Ocean into British Columbia (BC) and Alberta.

Forecast for Fri (Oct 17) to Fri Night:

The storm in the Rockies will finally weaken and dissipate with a couple of lingering snow showers with minimal to light snow accumulations in the Tetons and Colorado. 

Our attention now goes to the storm in Canada through British Columbia and Alberta. Light impacts are expected from this storm on Friday, but heavier impacts will develop this weekend.

Forecast for Sat (Oct 18) to Sat Night:

The storm system in Canada is expected to develop and strengthen this weekend, with heavy coastal snow of 10-20+ inches and lighter snow totals into Alberta. Snow levels will be low for October due to cold air with this storm.

The cutoff of cold air and snow with this storm will be just north of the US-Canada border, but this could still change as we get closer to the weekend.

Forecast for Sun (Oct 19) to Sun Night:

The Canadian storm system will move further inland on Sunday and move moisture with cold air further south into the Pacific Northwest. Minimal to light impacts are expected as of this forecast, but the intensity and location of the storms' landfall in Canada will affect the snow forecast on Sunday and are subject to change. 

Forecast for Mon (Oct 20) to Mon Night:

The forecast to start next week becomes uncertain due to model disagreement. The storm system is expected to move into the Western US, but snowfall accumulations are uncertain this far away. Several areas of light snow are possible through the West, with a colder air mass.

Outlook for Tue (Oct 21) to Monday (Oct 27):

The weather pattern across the US will briefly slow down to start the extended forecast. A few lingering snow showers are possible through the West, but do not look to be significant as of this forecast. The cool weather pattern will stay in place through the West, keeping a chill in the air.

The storm track will stay north into Canada, which means British Columbia and Alberta could see decent snow totals through the end of October.

Later in the week, around Friday, October 24, the storm track in Canada will move further south and affect the Pacific Northwest with a round of storms. This will bring heavier areas of precipitation, and this storm will impact a few areas of the interior West. However, there is too much model uncertainty to pinpoint exact locations and snowfall amounts. As the West sees cooler air and chances of snow, the Northeast will see warmer air with inactive weather.

Below is a look at the Climate Prediction Center’s (CPC) probability outlook of temperatures (top) and precipitation (bottom) from Tuesday, October 21, through Monday, October 27. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (Oct 17).

Zach Butler