The West is heading into an active pattern over the next week. Initially, a southwest flow-dominant storm track will favor the Sierra and Northern/Central Rockies with temperatures starting out warm (high snow levels) before trending colder later in the weekend. Next week, the storm track will shift to favor the Northwest and the Rockies, with temperatures continuing to trend colder.

Snow totals over the next 5 days will generally range from 2-4 feet across the Sierra, 1-2 feet across the Pacific Northwest, and 10-30 inches across the Northern and Central Rockies (Wasatch and Tetons favored for the highest totals) to as far south as Steamboat, with amounts of less than 10 inches for most of Colorado south of Steamboat.

Forecast for Friday (Jan 2):

A storm will move across the Rockies with snow favoring the Tetons, Wasatch, and Northern Colorado, though temperatures will be on the warmer side with rising snow levels. Lighter snow is expected further north across the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada.

In the East, lake effect snow showers will favor Western New York, Ontario, and to a lesser extent West Virginia. Light snow showers are also possible in New England.

Forecast for Saturday (Jan 3):

In the West, a strong storm will make landfall in California with heavy snow developing across the Sierra Nevada Range, including Tahoe and Mammoth. Snow levels will also be down to the base areas of most resorts.

A storm will also reach the Northwest with snow and rain developing. Higher elevation resorts in British Columbia will be favored for the deepest snow totals.

In the East, lake effect snow showers will continue across the UP of Michigan, Ontario, and Western New York.

Forecast for Sunday (Jan 4):

Heavy snow will continue across the Sierra, while the Northwest will also see heavy snow along with lowering snow levels as colder air arrives. Snow will also develop across the Central Rockies, with Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming favored.

In the East, lake effect snow showers will linger over Western New York and, to a lesser extent, New England, while a storm will reach the Upper Midwest with moderate to heavy snow developing across Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and the UP of Michigan.

Forecast for Monday (Jan 5):

Snow will continue across the Central Rockies with Utah and Wyoming favored for the highest snow totals, while Colorado will also pick up some snow (northern areas favored, especially Steamboat).

The Sierra will see snow tapering off following the Saturday-Sunday dump, but a trailing disturbance will lead to additional snow shower chances during the day.

Snow will also begin to taper off across the Cascades and BC Coast Range, with lingering snow favoring the BC and Alberta Interior as well as the Northern U.S. Rockies.

In the East, a storm will bring moderate snow to the Northern Great Lakes and Western New York, with only light snow showers expected across New England. 

Forecast for Tuesday (Jan 6):

In the West, lingering snow will gradually taper off across the Central Rockies, while a strong storm will make landfall in the Northwest with heavy snow developing across British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Northern Idaho/Montana. 

In the East, New England could see some light snow as a weaker storm is projected to move through, but some areas could also see a change to rain as warmer air arrives.

Outlook for Wed (Jan 7) to Sun (Jan 11):

A ridge of high pressure will build over the West Coast late next week, leading to a drying trend across California and the Sierra Nevada Range, though temperatures will be below-average initially as colder air settles into place behind the last storm.

Storms will continue to favor the Northwest and the Rockies initially, with colder temperatures leading to good snow quality, but these areas could also see a drying trend after the 10th.

In the East, a major warm-up is expected as a strong southwest flow sets up, which will transport warm air from the west and south toward the East Coast. A storm is also projected to move across the East later next week, which could lead to rain for many ski resorts, depending on the storm track.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (January 5).

Alan Smith 

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