Multiple storms will move across the West this week, favoring the Northwest and the Rockies for the highest snowfall totals. Storms will start out on the warmer side with high snow levels early in the week, but a cold front will move through mid-week, resulting in colder temperatures and lower snow levels.

Forecast for Monday (March 2):

A weak storm will move across the West Central U.S., bringing light snow and rain showers from California and Oregon into the Central Rockies. Higher terrain in the Rockies will see moderate snow totals, but even in these areas, rain will fall at lower elevations. 

Further north, a storm will bring heavy snow to the northern ranges of British Columbia, while most ski resorts in Southern BC will stay dry.

In the East, a weak storm will bring light snow into the Mid-Atlantic, favoring West Virginia, but snow will eventually turn to sleet/freezing rain and then rain.

Forecast for Tuesday (March 3):

In the West, a storm will linger over the Central Rockies with snowfall favoring Utah and Colorado as slightly colder air arrives. A storm will also make landfall in British Columbia with heavy snow favoring coastal areas, but this will mainly be confined to higher elevations, as rain will fall across lower elevations. 

In the East, a storm will move up the East Coast with snow favoring Central New York and Southern New England. South of these areas, most notably in Pennsylvania, a wintry mix is expected, followed by an eventual transition to rain. 

Forecast for Wednesday (March 4):

A storm will impact the Northwest, and temperatures and snow levels will also trend lower as a cold front moves through. Snowfall looks to favor the Cascades, while moderate totals can also be expected over the Canadian Interior and Northern U.S. Rockies. 

Forecast for Thursday (March 5):

A storm will continue to progress southward into the Northern and Central U.S. Rockies, bringing moderate to locally heavy snowfall to most areas along with colder temperatures as a front moves through. Northern Utah looks favored for the deepest snow totals.

Further north, a weaker disturbance will bring more snow showers to the Cascades and Western Canada, with heavier snowfall across Northern BC. 

In the East, a storm will arrive with snow possible initially in New England and Quebec, while the Northern Mid-Atlantic into New York will see rain develop as warmer air encroaches from the south and west. 

Forecast for Friday (March 6):

A storm will linger over the Central Rockies with snowfall rates expected to pick up over Northern Colorado. A stronger storm will also reach the Northwest with heavier snowfall developing across portions of British Columbia. Lighter snow will also develop over Washington, along with rising snow levels in the warmer sector of this storm.

In the East, a transition from snow to mix to rain is expected over time across the Northeast and New England, but areas of heavy snow are possible initially over Northern and Eastern New England as a storm moves through. Confidence in this late-week setup is fairly low for now, however. 

A storm is also expected over the Upper Midwest, but it will also be a close call between snow vs. rain in this area. Currently, Northern Minnesota and Ontario look most favored for accumulating snow. 

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

A northwest flow dominant storm track is expected this weekend and into next week, with storms favoring the Interior BC and Alberta, the Washington Cascades, and Northern U.S. Rockies, with Northern Colorado possibly getting in on the action as well. Utah looks more borderline in this pattern.

A ridge of high pressure over the West Coast will keep California and Nevada, and possibly Oregon, warm and dry in this pattern.

An anomalously warm airmass is also expected throughout the East, as a rapid transition to spring conditions occurs on the heels of what has been a cold and snowy winter for many. 

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

Alan Smith