A ridge of high pressure will start to build over the West this weekend and into next week. This will result in a significant drying trend for most of the Western U.S., while a series of warm storms with rising snow levels will impact Western Canada. Higher-elevation Interior resorts in BC and Alberta will be favored for snowfall.

In the East, the week will end with well-above-normal temperatures and a storm that will bring widespread rain, but a cold front in the wake of the storm will lead to a cool-down on Sunday-Monday. Another brief warm-up is expected next week before a more sustainable cold airmass returns later next week. 

Forecast for Fri (Jan 9) to Sat AM:

On Friday, a few snow showers and flurries will linger across parts of the Rockies with snow conditions remaining good with a cold airmass in place following the mid-week storm. A weaker storm will impact Western Canada, but snow levels will begin to rise above the bases of Coast Range ski resorts.

A widespread rain event is expected across the East, while the Midwest will see snow arrive early on Saturday.

Forecast for Sat (Jan 10) to Sun AM:

In the Western U.S., a warming trend will begin, especially over the Sierra and Cascades, while the Rockies will be colder initially and will see more gradual warming.

A stronger storm involving an atmospheric river will begin to impact Washington and Western Canada with snow levels on the rise as temperatures warm up.

In the East, another storm will bring a rain/snow mix to New England and all-rain to the Mid-Atlantic initially, before a cold front arrives early on Sunday with a changeover to snow showers across the Central/Southern Appalachians. 

Further north, heavy snow will develop across the Central and Northern Great Lakes from Michigan to Ontario, while Quebec will also pick up some good snow with all or mostly all-snow expected there as opposed to mixed precipitation in New England. 

Forecast for Sun (Jan 11) to Mon AM:

A strong but warm storm will impact Western Canada with snow levels continuing to rise, especially on Monday. Many ski resorts in Washington and BC will see a changeover to rain or a rain/snow mix, while higher elevation resorts in Eastern BC and Alberta will be more resilient.

In the East, a cold front will move through on the backside of the weekend storm with rain or mixed precipitation changing over to snow showers behind the front across New England and the Western Appalachians. 

Forecast for Mon (Jan 12) to Tue AM:

A warm storm will linger over Western Canada with rain and snow expected. Lighter rain and snow showers will also develop across Northern Idaho and Montana. 

In the East, an overall drying trend is expected aside from some light snow showers across Northern New England, Upstate New York, and Quebec.

Forecast for Tue (Jan 13) to Wed AM:

In the West, rain and snow showers will taper off across Western Canada. A small percentage of models are indicating a weak disturbance bringing showers to the eastern ranges of Wyoming and Colorado, which is why light snow is showing up on the map, but most models are keeping these areas dry, which is the more likely outcome.

In the East, a storm will move across Northern Michigan and Eastern Canada with light snow possibly reaching Northern New England and Upstate New York.

Outlook for Wed (Jan 14) to Sun (Jan 18):

A ridge of high pressure will continue to dominate the pattern across the West, leading to mostly dry conditions. We might see a weak disturbance slide down the east side of the Continental Divide in the Rockies at some point, but overall, the potential for meaningful snowfall is limited.

Temperatures will be well-above-normal along the West Coast and coastal ranges, while the Rockies will be colder with just slightly above normal temperatures, along with colder valleys in some areas due to temperature inversions. 

In the East, a colder airmass will take hold with a storm possible early in this period, along with chances for additional storms later on.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (January 12).

Alan Smith 

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