Many areas in the Northwest and the Rockies will see their best storm cycle of the season so far, thanks to significant snowfall along with colder temperatures. The Cascades, BC Coast Range, and Northern Rockies will see the deepest snow totals in this cycle, but the forecast is also trending up for Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona as a cold front slides southward later this week.

Forecast for Wed (Jan 7) to Thu AM:

A storm will impact much of the West while a cold front will track southeastward through the Rockies, leading to lower snow levels and better quality snowfall than we've seen so far this season.

The Cascades and the Rockies will see significant snow totals, while the Sierra will pick up some light snow on the southern and western fringe of the storm track.

The Northeast will see some lingering light snow showers during the day on Wednesday as a storm departs.

Forecast for Thu (Jan 8) to Fri AM:

Snow will continue across the Northwest and the Rockies, with Colorado, New Mexico, and Eastern Arizona favored for the heaviest snowfall.

A warm storm will impact the Upper Midwest and the East with rain expected for most ski areas.

Forecast for Fri (Jan 9) to Sat AM:

Snow showers will linger across the Rockies on the backside of the mid-week storm with temperatures remaining cold. A storm will also make landfall in British Columbia with snow and rain developing, though snow levels will be on the rise as warmer air arrives. 

Rain will continue across most of the East, with the best chance of snow north of the border at the ski resorts near Quebec City. A new storm will also reach the Midwest early on Saturday with snow developing across the Western Great Lakes. 

Forecast for Sat (Jan 10) to Sun AM:

A storm will continue to impact Western Canada with heavy snow for higher terrain in the Coast Range, but lower elevation ski terrain will likely be dealing with rain thanks to a warmer airmass. A light rain/snow mix could also develop over the Washington Cascades.

The rest of the Western U.S. will head into a dry pattern with temperatures remaining seasonally cold at first before warming up in the days to follow.

In the East, a storm will bring a mix of rain, snow, and ice to New England before changing over to snow in many areas from New England to the Southern Appalachians by early Sunday as a cold front moves through. Heavier snowfall from this system is expected from the Northern Great Lakes to Quebec.

Forecast for Sun (Jan 11) to Mon AM:

In the West, another warm storm will impact Western Canada with a mix of snow and rain expected.

In the East, snow will likely continue across New York, New England, and Quebec on the colder backside of the weekend storm.

Outlook for Mon (Jan 12) to Fri (Jan 16):

A ridge of high pressure will dominate the pattern across the Western U.S., leading to mostly dry conditions along with above-average temperatures, though some valley areas will see colder temperatures due to inversions. The core of the anomalous warmth in this pattern will set up over the West Coast, and especially over California.

On the north side of the ridge, warm and wet storms will continue to favor British Columbia, but snow levels will be higher than we'd like to see in this pattern, with rain issues for lower elevation resorts. Washington could also see occasional light rain in this setup.

In the East, a more active pattern with generally seasonal temperatures is expected, resulting in snow chances for the Great Lakes, New England, and Mid-Atlantic.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (January 9).

Alan Smith 

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