Spring conditions prevail across the Western U.S. from Friday through Sunday due to a very strong ridge of high pressure. This ridge of high pressure will continue to bring record-challenging warmth, along with spring skiing conditions, as the snowpack continues to quickly decrease. The West will look toward next week for active weather to return with colder temperatures and chances of snow across most states.

Western Canada will continue to see rounds of storms bring snow accumulations to British Columbia and Alberta. Eastern Canada will also see areas of snow and colder air.

The Northeastern U.S. will see below-normal temperatures and a few areas of snow showers with minimal to light snow accumulations this weekend. The Northeast will then gear back up for spring next week with warm air and areas of rain.

Forecast for Friday (March 27):

The Pacific Northwest will dry out, but a series of storms will continue to bring snow to Western Canada through British Columbia and Alberta. The Great Lakes, Northeast, and Eastern Canada will see an unseasonable cold air mass move in with a couple of late-season lake effect snow showers. Snow showers will be light across the region with a couple of inches of snow and widespread below-freezing temperatures. 

Forecast for Saturday (March 28):

Cold air and snow showers will continue in the Northeast with cold temperatures. Winter is not ready to let go, but spring is in the forecast for the Northeast after Saturday. The Western U.S. will see spring conditions continue with warm temperatures, as the storm weakens in Western Canada with a few lingering snow showers.

Forecast for Sunday (March 29):

A couple more snow showers will fall in the Northeast, but temperatures will warm with increasingly dry conditions. The storm in the Northwest will start to shift south and continue to bring light snow to Western Canada, and will now bring rain and snow showers into Washington, northern Idaho, and northern Montana with light snow accumulations.

Forecast for Monday (March 30):

The storm in the Northwest will continue to bring areas of rain and snow showers, extending a bit further south. This storm will be the start of changes to come across the West later in the week. The Northeastern U.S. will see southwest flow bring warm temperatures as cold air stays north in Canada. The storm in Canada will bring areas of light snow to Quebec.

Forecast for Tuesday (March 31):

The Western U.S. will become active with a couple of storms impacting many states. There is model uncertainty about where and how strong these storms are, which will greatly affect snow accumulations. Snow could fall across many areas from the Sierra Nevada to the Interior West and the PNW.

Warm air and rain will affect the Northeastern U.S. as cold air and light snow stay north into Eastern Canada and maybe far northern New England.

Outlook for Wed (Apr 1) to Sun (Apr 5):

The weather patterns of the past couple of weeks will switch from the East to the West. This will mean the West will see cooler air and chances of snow. The most interesting storm to watch will be on Wednesday, April 1 and Thursday, April 2, with widespread snow possible across the PNW, Sierra, and the Rockies. This storm could bring late-season powder across many areas, so do not give up on winter just yet.

The East will see the storm track lift north and bring spring temperatures to the region with areas of rain. Temperatures will be too warm for snow, except maybe in Eastern Canada on the rain-snow line.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday.

Zach Butler 

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