The storm track in North America is now shifting to the north, which will move snowfall into Canada and the northern Rockies. The storm track will become significant in British Columbia through this forecast. This storm track will stay cold, with warmer air to the south in the Pacific Northwest, and light snow for the higher elevations. Lighter amounts of moisture from this storm track will push into the northern Rockies on Friday and through the weekend.

View → Total Snow Forecast Map

British Columbia will be fun to watch over the coming days due to the active and cold Pacific storm track. Check out our snow forecast and snow level range chart for Whistler. Most models are projecting 20-60 inches of snow (OS Blend = 50 inches) at mid-mountain. Notice the variability of snow levels with rain at the base, but snow around mid-mountain through the summit!

Forecast for Fri (Oct 17) to Fri Night:

The storm track will now shift to the north through Canada and the northern Rockies to end the work week and start the weekend. A few quick-moving areas of moisture will bring light and scattered snow totals through British Columbia (BC), Alberta, and down into Montana and Wyoming.

Minimal impacts are expected as we look into the weekend with more significant moisture entering BC. 

Forecast for Sat (Oct 18) to Sat Night:

A strengthening storm system with an atmospheric river in the Pacific Ocean will bring high amounts of moisture into British Columbia on Saturday, with lighter amounts of moisture into Alberta and even lighter amounts into the northern Rockies. This storm will start warm, but quickly drag cold air into BC with lowering snow levels and snow accumulations of 10-20+ inches. 

An active storm track through BC will be the theme for the rest of the forecast.

Forecast for Sun (Oct 19) to Sun Night:

Additional snow will fall in British Columbia and Alberta on Sunday as the storm moves further south into the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. Precipitation in the US will begin as rain, but colder air will change precipitation to snow with light snow accumulations for the higher elevations.

Forecast for Mon (Oct 20) to Mon Night:

The next storm will quickly move from the Gulf of Alaska into British Columbia on Monday. This storm is expected to track further north, keeping lighter amounts of precipitation in the forecast area. In the US, more scattered snow showers will fall, which will reach Utah and Colorado with minimal to light snow accumulations.

Forecast for Tue (Oct 21) to Tue Night:

Additional moisture from the Pacific storm system will continue to bring snow to British Columbia and Alberta. It will be a deep few days of snow with total snow accumulations from Friday, October 17 through Tuesday, October 21, of 1-3+ feet. Snow conditions will be wet, but this will be the start of an early-season snowpack.

Forecast for Wed (Oct 22) to Wed Night:

The next major storm system is expected to impact British Columbia with more heavy and wet snow on Wednesday. Deep snow totals will continue for these areas, and the good news is that the storm track continues to look fairly cold for early-season storms. 

Outlook for Thu (Oct 23) to Tue (Oct 28):

The weather pattern across the US will continue to slow down through the extended forecast. The major story will be the active Pacific storm track from Alaska into British Columbia and parts of the Pacific Northwest. This storm track will continue to bring deep snow totals into Western Canada to start the snow season.

Noticeably, the storm track is moving into BC from Alaska, which means it will have plenty of cold air to keep snow levels on the lower side for October. There will be significantly warmer air and mostly rain to the south of the storm track, which is expected to impact the Pacific Northwest of the US.

The rest of the West and into the East will see quieter weather. The West will see a few leftover areas of moisture from the Pacific storm track, but temperatures are expected to warm up. The East will see drier and warmer air with beautiful fall days ahead.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (Oct 20).

Zach Butler