Current Conditions

The current snowpack map shows good news for the northwest as most of the higher elevations have 1-4 FEET of snow already on the ground. Also, a change to this map from last week is that 4-8 inches of snow fell on many mountains of the northeast.

The first snowfall in the northeast is always a gorgeous sight as there are usually still a few colorful leaves left on some trees. This picture is from near Whiteface in northern New York (source)

The 5-Day Forecast

The weather pattern during the next five days will be stuck. What you see now is what you'll get all week.

For the west, this means that a storm off the coast will sit in the same position all week, occasionally throwing moisture into the mountains. Snow will fall at the higher elevations, but the significant snow will likely be confined to British Columbia for most of the week. Heavier snow could fall in California toward the end of the week, but there’s still some uncertainty about that storm.

The northeast will see reinforcing shots of cool air with occasional snow showers, which could add a few inches to the snowpack.

For temperatures, again, it’s a what-you-see-is-what-you-get kind of week. The northeast is cool and will stay cool with temperatures about 10 degrees below average. The west coast will stay near or just below average, and most of the rest of the country will be 5-15 degrees above average.

Check back on Thursday when I’ll look ahead to a potential change in this stagnant weather pattern, perhaps just in time for Halloween!

JOEL GRATZ

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