While the West warms up and dries out this week, the jet stream will take a big southward dip over the East this week, allowing a much colder airmass to take hold following last week's dry spell.

Snow opportunities will increase across ski regions throughout the East and Upper Midwest this week. Most ski resorts are looking at 3-12 inches of snow over the next 5 days, with the potential for locally higher amounts depending on local orographics and the exact track of a storm on Wednesday-Thursday. 

Forecast for Monday (Jan 12):

A warm storm involving an atmospheric river will impact Washington, British Columbia, and Alberta. Snow levels will be on the rise, resulting in rain for Washington ski resorts, while BC ski resorts will see rising snow levels and an eventual transition from snow to rain in many areas. The Canadian Rockies of Eastern BC and Alberta will be favored for heavier snowfall.

In the East, a minor disturbance will bring snow showers to New England, Upstate New York, and Quebec.

Forecast for Tuesday (Jan 13):

In the West, lingering snow and rain showers will continue across the Canadian Rockies. However, even the higher elevation resorts on the Alberta side will see snow levels rise above the base by the end of the event, with rain possible up to mid-mountain in some areas.

In the East, a disturbance will track across Eastern Canada with snow favoring Ontario and Quebec, while light snow will reach Northern New England with locally heavier amounts of lake effect snow for the UP of Michigan. 

Forecast for Wednesday (Jan 14):

In the West, most areas will see a dry and mild pattern, but a moisture-starved cold front will bring some light snow showers to Northern and Central BC. Little to no moisture will reach the Western U.S. as this front moves southward in the days to follow.

In the East, a storm will arrive with some areas starting out as rain, but a changeover to all-snow is expected as a strong cold front moves through.

Areas favored for the highest snow totals include the UP of Michigan, Quebec, and the western slopes of the Appalachians from SW Pennsylvania to West Virginia to North Carolina/Tennessee.

Forecast for Thursday (Jan 15):

A storm will continue to impact the East with moderate to locally heavy snow, favoring Southern Quebec, New England, New York, and the western slopes of the Appalachians from SW Pennsylvania to North Carolina.

Another storm will also reach the Upper Midwest, with snow favoring Northern Minnesota and the Canadian Prairie initially.

In the West, a small percentage of models have snow developing across the Northern U.S. Rockies (east of the Divide) as a cold front moves through, but it's a marginal setup, and most areas will likely stay dry.

Forecast for Friday (Jan 16):

Snow showers will linger across the East on Friday, with coverage of light snow also expanding across the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest as a slow-moving system moves through.

In the West, a small percentage of models have light snow developing over Colorado as a cold front moves through. But again, this front will be moisture-starved, and there is a good chance that conditions will remain dry here.

Outlook for Sat (Jan 17) to Wed (Jan 21):

The big picture pattern remains the same with a cold airmass in place across the East, along with the potential for more storms, while the West will continue to see high pressure with mild and dry conditions.

The West may eventually see some snow return to the picture heading into late January (beyond the 21st), but confidence in the overall pattern is low this far out.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Wednesday (January 14).

Alan Smith 

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