A new weather pattern has reversed earlier predictions, and now we are poised for some winter storms to roll into Idaho next week. Despite the cool and wet weather that Idaho experienced in September and October, the snowpack map for Idaho is showing widely ranging snow depths and snowpacks early in the season. A fair bit of that early snow has melted at lower elevations, but some of it is hanging on in the mountains. 

As we swing into Thanksgiving week, Idaho's ski resorts that have snow-making capabilities will be ahead of the resorts that depend on natural snow.

Here's a broader snowpack update for the West from OpenSnow.

Cooler and wetter conditions are expected to prevail across Idaho in the coming weeks. Starting on Sunday, a series of storms are expected to move through Idaho bringing fresh snow statewide. Weather maps for the next two weeks are encouraging, predicting cooler, below-normal temperatures and a good chance of precipitation.

Looking farther out in the future, the long-term forecasts are calling for warmer-than-normal temperatures in general, and equal chances of normal precipitation.

Ocean temperatures in the Equator region are showing a neutral effect so far in terms of El Nino or La Nina effects.

I recommend reading NOAA's long-term winter outlook.

This Saturday, Nov. 23, there's a Pray for Snow party with live music and dance contest at the Activity Barn in McCall, sponsored by Brundage Mountain. Retro ski clothes encouraged! Brundage is expected to open Easy Street on Nov. 29, snow and weather permitting.

Opening day at Sun Valley Resort will occur on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 28.

Bogus Basin plans to operate Friday-Sunday, Nov. 29-Dec. 1, with the terrain park on the front side and any additional terrain they might be able to open by then.  

Schweitzer Mountain Resort opens on Friday, Nov. 29, with skiing and riding on the front side.

Silver Mountain plans to open on Friday, Nov. 29, snow-permitting.