Snow opportunities across the West over the next 7 days

Colorado was hit with a storm on Thursday, and the British Columbia Coast Range is experiencing heavy snow to close out the week. Over the weekend, British Columbia will be favored to pick up more snow, then next week, a slow-moving storm system will impact the Western U.S. with snow for California and much of the Rockies.

Most major ski regions in the West will see at least some snow during the next 7 days along with a trend toward colder temperatures.

Forecast for Fri, Mar 5 – Sat, Mar 6

A storm will impact the Pacific Northwest on Friday but snow levels will be high with areas above the rain/snow line in Coastal British Columbia (including Whistler) favored to see the heaviest snow totals. Colder air will arrive with low snow levels on Saturday with more snow for BC and the Northwest. An unsettled and cold pattern over the Northeast will result in light snow showers on Friday and Saturday.

Forecast for Sun, Mar 7 – Mon, Mar 8

A weaker storm will bring more snow to the Pacific Northwest and portions of the Northern Rockies on Sunday and Monday with snow levels remaining low.

Forecast for Tue, Mar 9 – Wed, Mar 10

A slow-moving storm will impact the Western U.S. on Tuesday and Wednesday with Tahoe expected to be favored initially before snow spreads across the Rockies in a series of waves. The Cascades will only see a glancing blow from this storm, while up north, Southern Alaska should get back in on the action from a separate storm with heavy snow expected.

Outlook for Thu, Mar 11 – Mon, Mar 15

This period could end up being less active overall, although temperatures are expected to be colder than average across the western half of North America. Early on in this period, lingering snow will be possible across the Four Corners regions depending on the track/speed of the early week storm. By later in the period, the pattern should start to turn more active across the Northwest and Northern Rockies.

The East could see a storm at some point during this period, but with warmer temperatures expected, confidence is low as to whether more snow would fall versus rain. 

Thanks so much for reading! Check back for my next post on Monday, March 8th.

ALAN SMITH