It has been a very slow start to the season across much of the West, with some areas near record low snowpack levels for the end of November.

Colder air and multiple snow chances are on the way for the Rockies late this week through early next week. While this won't immediately erase the early snowfall deficit, this region will see some much-needed natural snowfall along with more favorable snowmaking conditions.

The East, on the other hand, is having a phenomenal start to the ski season, and this pattern looks to continue with multiple storms on the way. Good snowmaking conditions can also be expected with below-average temperatures. 

Forecast for Friday (Nov 28):

A storm will bring snow to the Northern Rockies with locally heavy bands possible as a cold front moves through from north to south. Snow will also develop across Colorado on Friday night. 

In the East, an unsettled northwest flow will lead to lake effect snow showers and terrain-driven upslope snow showers across Northern New England. 

Forecast for Saturday (Nov 29):

Snow will continue across Colorado on Saturday morning before tapering off in the afternoon. Meanwhile, a strong storm will move across the Midwest, bringing heavy snow to the Lower Great Lakes Region.

Forecast for Sunday (Nov 30):

Another storm will slide into the Central and Southern Rockies, with snow favoring Utah and Colorado. In the East, a storm will bring snow to New York and New England while areas further south in the Mid-Atlantic will see mixed precipitation or rain.

Forecast for Monday (Dec 1):

Light snow to moderate snow will continue over the Southern Rockies, while the next storm for the West will reach Central BC and Alberta. 

In the East, a generally unsettled pattern is expected with light snow showers across the Great Lakes and New England. A storm will also reach the Southern Appalachians (NC/VA), but a wintry mix of snow, rain, and freezing rain is expected. 

Forecast for Tuesday (Dec 2):

A storm will slide into the Northwest and the Northern and Central Rockies with light to moderate snowfall expected. 

A stronger storm is expected to reach the East with heavy snow possible across the Northeast, while areas further south in the Mid-Atlantic are likely looking at a wintry mix.

Outlook for Wed (Dec 3) to Sun (Dec 7):

Early on in this period, a storm is expected to stall over the Southwest, possibly bringing more snow to the Southern Rockies, though confidence in the details is low. 

Recent trends indicate a stubborn ridge of high pressure may persist along the West Coast, which would favor continued dry conditions and above-average temperatures along the coastal ranges and even parts of the Interior West.

Storms sliding down the eastern periphery of the ridge would favor eastern portions of the Northern Rockies, with greater uncertainty further south into Colorado.

Once again, the coldest air (relative to average) and the most dominant storm track look to favor the Upper Midwest and the East, with strong early-season skiing conditions expected to continue. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (December 1).

Alan Smith

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