A storm cycle is already underway this week across the Northwest, and the fun will continue from Wednesday to Saturday with significant snowfall expected.

Ski resorts in Washington, British Columbia, Alberta, Northern Idaho, and Montana will be favored for the deepest snow totals in this cycle, and it will add up over multiple days to keep snow conditions fresh.

Oregon will also see heavy snowfall through Wednesday, but warmer air will arrive on Thursday when a changeover to rain is expected. 

Forecast for Wednesday (March 11):

A strong storm will impact the Northwest with heavy snow continuing across the Cascades and BC Coast Range, while heavy snow will also spread further inland into the BC Interior and Canadian Rockies as well as the Northern U.S. Rockies. Winds will also be very strong across these areas.

A strong storm will also impact the Upper Midwest and Eastern Canada, with snow being the primary precipitation type over Northern Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan, while Quebec will see areas of heavy snow but also freezing rain creeping into southern areas and impacting some ski resorts. Further south, this will be a rain event for the Eastern U.S.

Forecast for Thursday (March 12):

A storm will continue to bring heavy snow to the Northwest and Northern Rockies. Winds will not be as strong over the Cascades, but still very strong further east across Montana. BC and Alberta will continue to receive significant snowfall and good quality powder, while some of the heaviest snowfall rates with Thursday's round are expected in Northwest Montana.

In the East, models have backed off on the potential for post-frontal snow showers after a cold front moves through at the end of a rainy system. It now looks like only some light and spotty upslope showers will develop over the Appalachians and New England in the wake of this storm, while northern portions of Quebec will continue to receive heavy snow.

Another storm will also move into the Upper Midwest on Thursday night, bringing snow to Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Forecast for Friday (March 13):

A storm will continue to hammer the Northwest, with Washington, Idaho, and Montana favored for the heaviest snowfall, while snowfall rates will decrease a bit for most of BC and Alberta.

A storm will also bring snow to the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region, eventually spreading into Upstate New York, Quebec, and Western New England on Friday night.

Forecast for Saturday (March 14):

This will be the last day of this multi-day storm across the Northwest. Snow showers will begin to taper off over Washington and BC, while heavy snow will continue across Western Montana and Southern Alberta, with pockets of moderate to heavy snow also extending into Northern Wyoming.

Light to moderate snow will also fall across Upstate New York, Quebec, and New England as a storm moves through, while yet another storm will reach the Upper Midwest on Saturday night.

Forecast for Sunday (March 15):

As the Northwest storm exits, residual moisture and energy will sneak into the Central Rockies with light snow showers possible.

A new storm will reach the Northwest on Sunday, but this storm will involve a significant warm-up as subtropical moisture arrives, resulting in rising snow levels and a changeover to rain in Washington. Moderate to heavy snow is possible in BC initially, but snow levels will eventually rise here as well.

Another strong storm is possible across the Upper Midwest into the Northeast, with the biggest question marks involving the storm track and associated precipitation types. For now, the heaviest snow is expected over the Upper Midwest while the Northeast has a higher likelihood of rain. 

Outlook for Mon (March 16) to Fri (March 20):

The big story next week will be a strong ridge of high pressure that will develop over the Western U.S., which will lead to anomalously warm and possibly record-challenging temperatures along with dry conditions. Spring skiing conditions can be expected in these areas, but receding snowpack will also be a concern given the already light snowpack this year.

Further north, an active storm track is expected to continue across Western Canada, and at times Northern Washington. However, the arrival of warmer air will result in much higher snow levels along with rain concerns.

In the Upper Midwest and the East, an active storm track is expected to continue with frequent storms. Precipitation type will continue to be a challenge with individual storms, but the potential certainly exists for more snow at ski resorts across these regions with below-average temperatures expected. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (March 13).

Alan Smith