Recent Snowfall:

An active pattern earlier this week resulted in good snow totals across most areas of the Western U.S. except for far southern areas. The Northwest was especially hit hard with snow totals from January 3rd through 7th including an incredible 75 inches at both Whistler-Blackcomb and Mt. Baker and 60 inches at Crystal Mountain. Impressive 5-day totals during this period also include 30 inches at Jackson Hole, 27 inches at Schweitzer, 25 inches at Mt. Hood Meadows, and 23 inches at Whitewater and Fernie. 

Check out our 5-Day Powder Finder (which updates daily) showing the deepest totals across the West from January 3rd through 7th.

Forecast for Fri, Jan 8 – Sat, Jan 9

A storm moving across the Southeast on Friday will result in moderate to heavy snow for ski areas in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. A weaker storm will also reach the West Coast on Friday with snow developing across the BC Coast Range and Washington/Oregon Cascades before lighter snow showers move across the Rockies on Saturday.  

Forecast for Sun, Jan 10 – Mon, Jan 11

A strengthening storm over the Southwest will lead to a good round of snow on Sunday across New Mexico and to a lesser extent Colorado, before swinging east out into the Southern Plains. Meanwhile, the British Columbia Coast Range will see a weak storm arrive on Sunday, followed by a stronger storm on Monday with warmer air and rising snow levels.

Forecast for Tue, Jan 12 – Wed, Jan 13

A storm will impact the Northwest on Tuesday and Wednesday with high snow levels expected initially before colder air (and falling snow levels) arrive on the backside of the storm Wednesday. The heaviest snow (and rain) is expected in British Columbia, Alberta, and Washington, but Northern Idaho and Montana should get in on the action as well.

Another weaker storm will move across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic on Tuesday with mixed precipitation changing over to light snow, but considerable uncertainty remains regarding the storm track and if/where it snows. Meanwhile, weaker energy up north could result in light snow showers across parts of the Northeast on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Outlook for Thu, Jan 14 – Mon, Jan 18

The storm track will continue to favor British Columbia and the far Northwest U.S. during this period with high pressure leading to drier conditions farther south. By later in the period, it's possible we could see a storm or two slide into the Central Rockies along the Continental Divide. Colder air and a more active storm track will become established across the East during this period, setting the stage for better snow potential across the Appalachians and New England. 

Thanks so much for reading! Check back for my next post on Monday, January 11th.

ALAN SMITH

NEW: Wind Gust Map Layer

In addition to the Estimated Snow Depth, Current & Forecast Radar, Temperature Forecast, and Avalanche Forecast maps, we now have a Wind Gust map layer on OpenSnow!

This high-resolution map overlay provides forecasts for the next 18 hours and is available to All-Access subscribers on any device by clicking the "Maps" tab and selecting the "Wind Gust" overlay.

The data will update every hour with the latest available information.

For the OpenSnow iOS app, make sure you're updated to v3.5.3

For the OpenSnow Android app, make sure you're updated to v3.5.4

View all of our map overlays on any device by upgrading to All-Access for $29.99/year (Single) or $39.99/year (Group). The subscription includes unlimited Daily Snow reads, 3-day hourly forecasts, 10-day snow forecasts, and much more.

Wind Gust Forecast → OpenSnow.com/map