A significant storm is brewing for the Southern and Eastern U.S. later this week. A strong subtropical jet stream will develop and track across the Southern U.S., while at the same time, an arctic cold front will barrel in from the north.

Colorado and New Mexico will catch some snowfall on the edge of this system, but Mid-South into the Mid-Atlantic will catch the brunt of this storm. Ski resorts in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia are currently favored for the deepest snow totals (1-2+ feet possible), but we may also see some impressive snowfall reach the Northeast depending on the track of the storm. 

To the north, lake effect snow showers will continue to favor Michigan, Ontario, and Western New York in advance of this weekend's storm. 

Forecast for Wednesday (Jan 21):

A storm will move across the Upper Midwest and Northeast with snow showers favoring the lake effect zones from Michigan to Western New York. Moderate snow showers can also be expected across Quebec, Northern New England, the Adirondacks, and the Alleghenies in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 

Forecast for Thursday (Jan 22):

Snow will linger across the Northeast with lake effect zones in the UP of Michigan and over Western New York favored for the deepest totals. The ski resorts around Quebec City are also favored for moderate snow totals. 

In the West, it's possible we could see a few light snow showers/flurries develop over the High Sierra in California, but it's a marginal setup.

Forecast for Friday (Jan 23):

A storm will develop over the Southern Rockies with moderate snowfall favoring Southern Colorado and New Mexico, while lighter amounts are expected in Arizona, Southern Utah, and Northern Colorado.

As the storm begins to push eastward, snow will develop over the Southern Plains, which will be a precursor to the Mid-Atlantic storm this weekend.

Snow showers will also continue to freshen up the slope across the Northeast, with the lake effect favored zones in Upstate New York expected to see the highest totals. 

Forecast for Saturday (Jan 24):

Snow will continue over Colorado and New Mexico into Saturday, with the highest snow totals expected over the San Juans and Sangre de Cristos. 

The southern and eastern storm will also get going with heavy snow falling across the Mid-South (potential for huge snow totals from Oklahoma City to Nashville), while heavy snow will also pick up over the Southern Appalachians in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. 

Forecast for Sunday (Jan 25):

Heavy snow will continue across the Mid-Atlantic with snow extending further north as the storm tracks along the East Coast. There is still some uncertainty with the storm track and how much snow falls further north, but it's shaping up to be a potentially high-end event for areas in the Southern and Central Mid-Atlantic. 

In the West, a weak storm will move into the Northwest with light snow expected in Southern British Columbia and Washington, while the Northern Coast Range in BC will see higher snow totals.

Outlook for Mon (Jan 26) to Fri (Jan 30):

Next week's pattern is trending toward a stronger ridge of high pressure in the West, which is proving very stubborn to break down. We may see a weak storm sneak into the Western U.S. and Southern BC/Alberta at some point and bring light snow to some areas, but it's a marginal pattern. 

Further north, a more active storm track is possible across Central and Northern British Columbia, mainly along the Coast.

In the East, a frigid arctic airmass is expected to hold in place all week, ensuring that snow from the previous weekend's storm will hang around for a while. An overall drier pattern is currently projected in the East for next week, but it's possible that snow chances could arise in some areas. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (January 23).

Alan Smith