The Pacific storm track will finally shift south on Friday and this weekend due to a strengthening jet stream. This storm track will bring several storms and atmospheric rivers (ARs) through the Northwest. Snow levels will start high but lower throughout the weekend due to a cold air mass. Several areas of light snow will also impact the Sierra and Rockies with minimal to light impacts.

View → Total Snow Forecast Map

Check out our snow forecast and snow level range chart for Mt. Baker, with most models projecting 10-24 inches of snow (OS Blend = 16 inches) at mid-mountain. Notice the precipitation type changeover and drop in snow levels from Friday to Sunday!

Forecast for Fri (Oct 24) to Fri Night:

The Pacific storm track with atmospheric river (AR) moisture will finally enter the Pacific Northwest of the US on Friday and bring widespread precipitation through the weekend. Friday will see initial warm air with rain and high snow levels in the US, before colder air moves in during Friday evening and through the weekend with lower snow levels. 

British Columbia will see colder air through Friday due to backend AR moisture that will bring snow accumulations through the province into Alberta as well.

Forecast for Sat (Oct 25) to Sat Night:

The storm system in the Northwest will bring colder air and significant AR moisture on Saturday. Snow levels will drop to near 4,000 feet with widespread snow accumulations of 10-20+ inches through the Cascades and into Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. 

A few snow showers will also reach California through the Sierra, but will have minimal impacts. 

Forecast for Sun (Oct 26) to Sun Night:

Another round of AR moisture associated with a quickly developing storm system will impact the Pacific Northwest on Sunday. This storm will be weaker and make landfall in Oregon, but snow will continue to fall through the Northwest. A few snow showers will continue to affect the Sierra with minimal impacts as well.

Snow will now extend into the Rockies with light snow accumulations of 1-8+ inches through Utah and Colorado. This early October weather pattern is certainly getting us ready for opening days, which are coming before we know it!

Forecast for Mon (Oct 27) to Mon Night:

The storm track will weaken to start next week with lingering snow showers through the West. Snow accumulations will primarily stay through the Rockies, with light snow accumulations expected. Additional moisture will continue to move off the Pacific Ocean into British Columbia.

Forecast for Tue (Oct 28) to Tue Night:

The jet stream will lift north on Tuesday and strengthen as another storm moves into British Columbia. This storm has good chances of rapidly intensifying, bringing heavy precipitation north of the US-Canada border into BC. Temperatures are forecasted to stay cold, but there is still significant model uncertainty with the AR strength and associated temperatures.

Forecast for Wed (Oct 29) to Wed Night:

The storm from Tuesday, October 28 will keep moving through British Columbia and Alberta with significant amounts of moisture. A few snow showers could also reach the northern areas of the Pacific Northwest, but they will likely have minimal impacts.

Looking to the East coast of the US and Canada, a coastal storm system and potential Nor'easter will bring rain and maybe a few snowflakes into Quebec, which will be a sign of the seasons changing and winter coming soon!

Outlook for Thu (Oct 30) to Tue (Nov 4):

The Pacific storm track will keep bringing storms into the Northwest due to a strong jet stream across the Pacific Ocean. The storm track is forecasted to keep storms around the US-Canada border and to the north through British Columbia and Alaska. Temperatures will stay warm in the US, but will be colder in Canada. This will keep snow chances low in the US, with higher snow chances in Canada due to colder air. 

Clear and dry weather is expected through the rest of the Western US into the Rockies due to high pressure. On the East Coast, active weather will stay coastal with precipitation forecasted to be above-normal through the Mid-Atlantic and New England. Temperatures will stay too warm for any early-season snow. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (Oct 27).

Zach Butler

2025-2026 Winter Release

We are excited to announce the following features and innovations, created in-house by our small team at OpenSnow:

PEAKS AI Model

11-15 Day Forecasts

AI Forecaster

Forecast Range

Global Storm Forecast

Super-Res Radar

These features are currently available as a "Free Preview" before moving into our new Premium plan in mid-November.

Lock in the lowest price and save up to $50 on Premium Family when you upgrade by October 31.

Upgrade → OpenSnow.com/buy