We have one more week to go with a dominant high-pressure ridge in the West, but a significant warming trend will occur this week compared to previous weeks, resulting in well-above-average temperatures. It will feel more like spring than winter in many areas.

In the East, bitterly cold arctic air will gradually ease up while additional shots of snow showers will remain possible. Overall, skiing conditions will be excellent across the East, including the Mid-Atlantic, which has seen natural snow over the past couple of weeks in addition to consistent cold. 

Forecast for Mon PM (Feb 2) to Tue AM:

A weak storm will impact Western Canada and the Northwest U.S., but snow levels will be on the rise with some areas seeing a changeover to rain. In the East, an overall quiet pattern can be expected aside from light lake effect snow showers.

Forecast for Tue PM (Feb 3) to Wed AM:

In the West, a weak disturbance will slide into Colorado with light snow showers possible near the Continental Divide. Further north, a weak storm will impact Central and Northern BC, but most areas will see a transition to rain as snow levels rise.

In the East, a split flow storm track is expected with a storm tracking into the Southern Mid-Atlantic with light to moderate snow. A northern disturbance will also bring light snow to Upstate New York, Northern New England, and Quebec.

Forecast for Wed PM (Feb 4) to Thu AM:

Light snow showers will linger over the Southern Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, while the West will be dry and warm with spring-like temperatures.

Forecast for Thu PM (Feb 5) to Fri AM:

A northwest flow storm will slide into the Upper Midwest, bringing a round of light snow to many areas, before reaching the East on Friday morning. The West will remain warm and dry.

Forecast for Fri PM (Feb 6) to Sat AM:

A storm will bring a round of snow to a good portion of the East from New England to the Southern Appalachians, with the Alleghenies in West Virginia and SW Pennsylvania favored for the highest snow totals.

A storm will also begin over British Columbia early on Saturday, which will be the first signs of a pattern change across the West.

Outlook for Sat (Feb 7) to Wed (Feb 11):

The high pressure ridge will finally break down across the West this weekend, with a split-flow storm track expected to develop initially, possibly favoring the Northwest and the Southern Rockies, though most major ski regions in the West have a chance of picking up at least some light snow.

Temperatures will remain above average across the West for this 5-day period as a whole, but an overall cooling trend is expected compared to the week prior.

Further east, a significant warm-up is expected across the Midwest, while the Northeast will hang onto below-average temperatures. Snow potential in the East is uncertain, but for now, the pattern looks to favor weaker storms.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Wednesday (February 4).

Alan Smith