A series of storms will move from northwest to southeast across the Rockies from Wednesday to Saturday, with many ski areas picking up 1-2 feet of snow. The Pacific Northwest will also pick up some snow in this pattern, though snow levels will be borderline for ski resorts.

Ski resorts favored for the deepest totals include (but are not limited to):

• Grand Targhee (WY)
• Steamboat (CO)
• Alta (UT)
• Solitude (UT)
• Vail (CO)
• Big Sky (MT)
• Revelstoke (BC)

Forecast for Wednesday (Dec 3):

A storm will slide into the Southern Rockies with heavy snow developing across Central and Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. A weaker storm will also slide into Canada with light snow for the Interior of British Columbia and Alberta. 

In the East, a disturbance will bring snow showers to the Great Lakes during the day and to Northern New England on Wednesday night. 

Forecast for Thursday (Dec 4):

Snow will linger over the Southern Rockies early in the day, then the next storm will bring snow to the Northwest and Northern Rockies, with snow eventually reaching Colorado by Thursday evening.

Light to moderate snow will fall across the Northeast and New England as a weaker storm moves through, with Upstate New York favored for the highest snow totals.

Forecast for Friday (Dec 5):

A stronger storm will move into the West with moderate to heavy snow developing across the Northwest and the Northern and Central Rockies. The deepest snow totals are expected across Western Montana, North Central Idaho, and Western Wyoming.

The Cascades in Washington will be right on the edge between heavy snow and rain with borderline snow levels. 

In the East, a storm will track across the Mid-Atlantic with snow, ice, and rain possible, though confidence is shaky regarding the storm track and location-specific precipitation type. 

Forecast for Saturday (Dec 6):

Another storm will impact the Northwest and the Rockies with the deepest snow totals expected in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado.  A weaker storm will also bring light snow chances to the Upper Midwest and the Northeast.

Forecast for Sunday (Dec 7):

Another storm is projected to move through the Rockies with more snow falling from Canada to Utah and Colorado. Later on Sunday, a coastal storm with a west/southwest flow storm track (instead of northwest flow) could impact Western Washington and Coastal BC, but once again, snow levels will be borderline for ski resorts.

In the East, a generally unsettled pattern is expected with light snow possible for some areas (Great Lakes and Northern New England favored), but confidence in the details is low. 

Outlook for December 8-12:

Next week, a significant warm-up is expected across the West, while colder-than-average temperatures will persist across the East.

In the West, an active moisture-laden storm track is expected for the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. This could potentially bring significant snowfall, but high snow levels and rain could also be an issue at times due to the warmer temperatures.

The Sierra, Southwest, and Central Rockies will see a warmer and drier pattern overall, while the Northern Rockies could see some snow on the southern fringe of the storm track (high snow levels may also be a concern there).

In the East, a favorable pattern looks to continue with snow possible at times across the Great Lakes, New England, and Mid-Atlantic. Regardless of individual storms, the cold air will also be favorable for snowmaking with continued excellent early-season conditions. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (December 5).

Alan Smith