The West will see a favorable pattern this week with multiple storms expected along with temperatures trending colder.

Most of the snowfall for the Sierra displayed in the map below will accumulate by dawn on Monday morning, while the Northwest and the Rockies will see more significant snow this week.

Snow totals over the next 5 days will range from 2 to 4 feet across the Cascades and BC Coast Range and 1 to 3 feet across the Canadian Interior, Northern U.S. Rockies, and Utah. Across Colorado, most areas will pick up anywhere from 4 to 15 inches of snow.

Forecast for Monday (Jan 5):

A storm will exit the Sierra and move across the Rockies with snow favoring Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. A trailing disturbance will also bring more snow to Northern California, around Mt. Shasta. A northern branch of the storm will also exit the coastal ranges and will favor the BC Interior and Canadian Rockies as well as the Northern U.S. Rockies. 

In the East, a clipper storm will bring light to moderate snowfall from the Great Lakes into the Northeast and New England.

Forecast for Tuesday (Jan 6):

A strong storm will impact the Northwest and the Northern Rockies with heavy snow expected for many areas, while Utah and Colorado will see light lingering snow on the backside of Monday's storm. Light snow showers are also possible across the Sierra.

In the East, a warmer storm will arrive bringing a mix of rain, snow, and ice to the Great Lakes, New York, and New England, with mostly snow expected for Southeast Canada.

Forecast for Wednesday (Jan 7):

Two storms will impact the West, with one storm moving across the Central Rockies and another making landfall in the Northwest. The Cascades and Northern Rockies are favored for the deepest snow totals.

In the East, a mix of snow, rain, and ice can be expected across New York and New England with all-snow for Quebec.

Forecast for Thursday (Jan 8):

Snow will continue across the Northwest and the Rockies as one storm exits and another arrives. The Cascades and Northern Rockies will see the deepest snow totals with moderate totals across the Central Rockies.

Forecast for Friday (Jan 9):

We will see one more active day across the West as lingering moisture and energy leads to additional snow showers across the Northwest and the Rockies. Snow totals will be lighter compared to prior days, and temperatures will also begin to warm up along the West Coast with rising snow levels.

In the East, a warmer storm will result in rain across the Northeast U.S. while Southeast Canada has a better chance of seeing snow, especially north of the St. Lawrence River.

Outlook for Sat (Jan 10) to Wed (Jan 14):

A strong ridge of high pressure will build over the West, resulting in a much drier weather pattern with little to no snow expected across the Western U.S. and Southwest Canada. Temperaturs will be mild along the West Coast and colder across the Rockies and Interior West.

The East will see well-above-average temperatures to start this period over the weekend, but next week, a transition to colder temperatures and increased snowfall potential is expected.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Wednesday (January 7).

Alan Smith 

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