In the West, Canada will be the most favored area for the remainder of this week with frequent storms. Snow levels (the rain/snow line) will still be higher than we would like to see; therefore, higher elevation resorts and more northerly resorts, especially over the Interior, will be favored for the deepest totals, while lower resorts will see more rain issues.

In the Midwest and the East, the overall pattern looks fantastic for the rest of the week with consistent cold temperatures and multiple storms that will bring fresh snowfall. 

Ski regions favored for the deepest snow totals include:

• Northern New England
• Quebec
• Western & Upstate New York
• Alleghenies (West Virginia to SW Pennsylvania)
• Northern Michigan (UP & Mainland)

Forecast for Wednesday (Dec 10):

A warm storm involving an atmospheric river will bring heavy snow to British Columbia and Alberta, depending on elevation. Unfortunately, Washington and PNW resorts will see primarily rain with higher snow totals confined to higher peaks outside of ski resorts.

In the East, a storm will bring widespread snow from Quebec to the Southern Appalachians, with ski resorts in New York, New England, Quebec, and West Virginia favored for the highest totals. 

Forecast for Thursday (Dec 11):

In the West, BC and Alberta will see light snow showers in between storms, while a storm will slide into Central Montana with heavy snow developing. This storm will mainly favor the easternmost resorts in Montana, such as Showdown and Teton Pass Resort.

In the East, snow will continue across New York, New England, and Quebec with solid totals continuing to add up. Another storm will then track across the Southern Great Lakes into the Mid-Atlantic with light to moderate snow developing. 

Forecast for Friday (Dec 12):

In the West, heavy snow will continue across Central Montana, favoring Showdown and Teton Pass Resort more so than the larger resorts to the West. Another storm will make landfall in Canada with snow (and low elevation rain) developing across BC and Alberta, while Northern Washington will see light rain.

In the East, snow showers will continue across the Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and New England.

Forecast for Saturday (Dec 13):

In the West, heavy snow will fall across BC and Alberta once again as a storm arrives. Rain and high snow levels will still be an issue for lower elevation resorts, however. 

In the East, another storm will arrive with moderate to locally heavy snow developing across the Mid-Atlantic and New York. Snowfall may be on the lighter side for New England, but this could change depending on any shifts in the storm track. 

Forecast for Sunday (Dec 14):

In the West, snow will continue across BC and Alberta, but temperatures and snow levels will be on the rise, which could lead to more rain issues. Higher elevation Interior resorts (especially further north away from the U.S. border) will be best positioned for more snow vs. rain. 

In the East, lake effect and upslope snow showers will continue across the Great Lakes, New York, and New England in the wake of Saturday's storm.

Outlook for Mon (Dec 15) to Fri (Dec 19):

In the West, stubborn high pressure will continue to result in unseasonably warm temperatures for many areas.

There are some indications that temperatures could cool slightly over the Northwest and Canada, perhaps allowing snow levels to come down a bit. But confidence is still low.

At the very least, an active pattern is expected across the Northwest and even the Northern U.S. Rockies; it's just a matter of how much precipitation falls as snow vs. rain.

California to Utah to Colorado will mostly remain in a quiet pattern, though a (likely weaker) storm could potentially sneak in at some point.

In the East, it looks like the persistent cold spell will break with temperatures warming up to near average in New England and above average in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

Storms could still bring snow to New England at times. And even in the warmer spots in the East, a good base is in place thanks to an excellent early-season pattern in recent weeks. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (December 12).

Alan Smith 

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