Big-time snow with 5+ FEET for the west

US and Canada Daily Snow

Heads up, there may be fresher snow! Read the latest US and Canada Daily Snow

By Joel Gratz, Founding Meteorologist Posted 4 years ago January 9, 2020

Summary

We are in the midst of a fantastic storm cycle for the Northwest, the Northern Rockies, and soon-to-be for the Central Rockies as well. Snow totals will be measured in feet. It’s go time.

Short Term Forecast

Multi-Model Deepness

Because some publicly-available forecast models do not always provide accurate forecasts for big mountain areas, the University of Utah takes makes adjustments to these models and shows a “plume” of potential outcomes. The snow forecast “plume” for Jackson Hole, Wyoming (and most other mountains in the Northwest and the Northern Rockies) looks incredible with 40-80 inches forecast for the seven days through January 15th. Even if only half of the projected snow comes to fruition it’s going to be a great storm cycle.

Forecast for Thu, Jan 9 – Fri, Jan 10

The Northwest and the Northern Rockies will enjoy the deepest powder to close out the week while lighter amounts will fall over California, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico.

Forecast for Sat, Jan 11 – Sun, Jan 12

Big-time snow will continue for the Northwest and the Northern Rockies. Also, snow will pick up for the central Rockies including northern Utah and northern Colorado.

Forecast for Mon, Jan 13 – Wed, Jan 15

It’ll be a new week with almost the same forecast. The Northwest and the Northern Rockies will continue to ride on the storm train. The slight change is that the storm track will shift to the south with an end to the snow over British Columbia and deep totals over California, Utah, and Colorado.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Thu, Jan 16 – Mon, Jan 20

The biggest news in the 7+ day outlook is that very cold air will descend over the Northwest and the Northern Rockies. In this region, snow totals will likely be light because very cold air masses contain little moisture to produce snow. The storm track could shift south and east which could favor California as well as some parts of Utah, Colorado, and even the Northeast.