Forecast for Friday to Sunday:

High pressure will remain in place over the Northern Rockies through the weekend with clear and dry conditions expected each day. 

Highs will reach the low 20s at 9,000 feet on Friday and mid/upper 20s on Saturday/Sunday, while the valleys will see low 30s on Friday and mid/upper 30s on Saturday and Sunday. Overnight lows will be in the teens across the higher terrain and near to slightly below zero in the valleys.

Winds will be light during the morning hours with moderate gusts expected in the afternoons as the atmosphere becomes well-mixed each day through daytime "heating" from the sun. Winds will be out of the north/northeast on Friday before turning southwesterly on Saturday and Sunday.

Snow conditions will be variable and generally best across higher elevation shaded terrain, especially on north-facing aspects. Despite the chilly temperatures, the sun is getting strong at this time of year and snow conditions will be impacted in south-facing and sun-exposed terrain as a result.

A trough of low pressure will approach the California Coast early next week as high pressure breaks down over the Northern Rockies, signaling our transition back into an active pattern.

We have a good chance of picking up at least some snow each day from Monday (March 20) through Thursday (March 23), though uncertainty still exists about the details.

First, a disturbance will arrive from the southwest on Monday and Tuesday with snow showers expected. After that, the main area of low pressure will move into the Rockies with a chance of snow on Wednesday-Thursday.

The wave on Wednesday-Thursday has higher boom-bust potential compared to Monday/Tuesday as snowfall could be heavier, but it's also possible the low pressure center tracks too far south, leading to lighter or even minimal snow.

Temperatures will remain cold enough that snow levels should stay on the valley floor, but afternoon freezing levels would likely rise above the valley floor to 7,000 feet or so each day. Still, we will need to get more dialed on this moving forward.

Late next week (March 24th-25th), another storm will approach from the northwest, but the storm track is trending toward a landfall in the PNW before moving southward into the Four Corners region with the main energy passing south of our area. We could certainly pick up some snow from this, but it may not be a significant snowfall producer unless the storm track trends further north and east.

Overall, I'm expecting an active pattern with frequent snow chances to continue through the end of March with temperatures remaining below average.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Saturday (March 18).

ALAN SMITH