Forecast for Western Washington:

Snow totals over the weekend ranged from 1-5 inches across Cascade ski resorts, with most of that falling on Friday-Friday night.

On Monday, a break in the pattern is occurring with a mix of sun and clouds and continued chilly temps, which should help to keep the snow soft.

A weak disturbance will arrive from the northwest on Tuesday-Wednesday, resulting in occasional light snow showers across the Cascades with total snow amounts in this period ranging from a trace to 3 inches. Snow levels will remain low both days.

A more active storm track will return late this week. The first of two storms will arrive on Thursday morning with southwest winds, bringing snow to the Olympics and Cascades. The most widespread snow is currently anticipated during the early morning and daytime hours Thursday, with additional backside snow showers from Thursday night into Friday.

Snow levels will remain low during this storm, peaking at 1,000-2,000 feet during the day on Thursday and dropping below 1,000 feet on Thursday night.

Another storm is likely to arrive over the weekend, but models are in poor agreement regarding the timing with snow possible anytime between late day Friday and Sunday. This should be another cold storm with low snow levels. Good skiing conditions can be expected from Thursday through the weekend as a result.

Forecast for Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho:

Snowfall associated with a storm over Oregon has largely stayed south of NE Washington and Idaho Panhandle ski resorts, though the base of Lookout Pass is reporting 2 inches (oddly enough, the summit is reporting zero).

SE Washington caught some action on the northern end of this storm, however, and Bluewood is reporting 6 inches of new snow on Monday morning.

Snow showers are tapering off across SE Washington as of midday Monday, and the rest of the day will be quiet across the Inland NW. However, thick low to mid-clouds are present at most ski resorts, resulting in poor visibility.

A weak disturbance will arrive from the northwest on Tuesday and Wednesday with terrain-enhance snow showers favoring the Central Idaho Panhandle around Silver Mtn and Lookout Pass. These areas could pick up 2-5 inches of low-density powder from Tuesday morning through Wednesday afternoon.

Elsewhere, dusting level accumulations at best are expected at Schweitzer, 49 North, and Mt. Spokane, while Bluewood could maybe squeeze out an inch or two. 

A more active storm track will return late this week. The first of two storms will arrive with southwest winds on Thursday-Thursday night with backside snow showers likely to continue on Friday. This should bring a nice round of snow to all areas with fresh powder to enjoy on Friday. Snow levels will remain very low, down to valley bottoms. 

Another storm is likely to arrive over the weekend, but models are in poor agreement regarding the timing with snow possible anytime between late day Friday and Sunday. This should be another cold storm with low snow levels. Good skiing conditions can be expected from Friday through the weekend as a result.

Forecast for Oregon:

Snow totals from Sunday's storm (reported on Monday AM) include 8 inches at Hood Meadows, 6 inches at Timberline, 5 inches at Hood Skibowl, 4 inches at Mt. Bachelor, 3 inches at Hoodoo, and 1 inch at Anthony Lakes.

Snow has ended as of Monday morning and the sun is out across Oregon, making for a beautiful day with clear skies and fresh snow. Cool temperatures will help to keep the snow soft as well.

A weak disturbance will arrive from the northwest on Tuesday-Tuesday night, resulting in a chance of light snow showers/flurries around the Mt. Hood area along with far Northeast Oregon. Hood ski resorts could potentially pick up anywhere from a dusting to an inch or two through Tuesday night, but this event will be marginal with dry conditions returning on Wednesday.

A more active storm track will return late this week. The first of two storms will arrive on Thursday morning with southwest winds, bringing snow to the Cascades from approximately Thursday morning through Thursday evening, and to the Blue Mountains from Thursday afternoon through Thursday night. Backside snow showers are likely on Friday as well.

Snow levels will remain low during this storm, ranging from 1,500-2,500 feet across Northwest Oregon (near Mt. Hood) and 2,000-3,500 feet across Central Oregon (Bachelor to Willamette Pass).

Another storm is likely to arrive over the weekend, but models are in poor agreement regarding the timing with snow possible anytime between late day Friday and Sunday. This should be another cold storm with low snow levels. Good skiing conditions can be expected from Thursday through the weekend as a result.

An active pattern is likely to continue during the week of Monday (Dec 12) to Sunday (Dec 18) with new storms arriving every 1-2 days. Temperatures are also expected to remain on the cooler side of average, which should keep snow levels low for the most part. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Wednesday (Dec 7).

ALAN SMITH