Deep snow totals early this week across Southwest Montana

The early week storm system has brought heavy snow to mountain ranges throughout the Rockies, but so far, Southwest Montana has been hit the hardest. Check out the wintery scene below at Big Sky, where up to 16 inches of snow had fallen as of midday Tuesday. 

Farther east, Red Lodge had also reported similar snow totals as of midday Tuesday and has likely picked up more since then.

Forecast for Wed 10/13 – Thu 10/14

Lingering snow will taper off across Colorado and Central Wyoming on Wednesday morning, but will persist later into the day across the Black Hills. Meanwhile, a second weaker storm will arrive from the northwest with another round of snow for the Cascades, BC/Alberta, and Northern U.S. Rockies on Wednesday night. Snow will then pick up over Colorado on Thursday.

Another storm will impact Southeast Alaska and Western BC on Thursday.

Forecast for Fri 10/15 – Sat 10/16

Lingering snow will taper off over the Rockies by early Friday morning with a drying trend across the U.S. Rockies heading into the weekend. A series of storms will continue to impact SE Alaska and British Columbia, with some light snow extending south into the Washington Cascades.

Forecast for Sun 10/17 – Mon 10/18

A weaker storm will move across the Northwest and Northern Rockies but only light snow is expected for most areas and snow levels will also be higher compared to recent days. Some models are hinting at a weak disturbance farther south that could produce some light snow over parts of the Sierra and Southern Rockies on Monday, but confidence is low and this could very well end up not happening. 

Outlook for Tue 10/19 – Sat 10/23

The storm track will favor the West Coast during this period with warmer and drier conditions over the Rockies. The BC Coast Range, WA/OR Cascades, and the Sierra could all end up seeing substantial precipitation at some point, though snow levels could end up being on the higher side. Regardless of snow levels, the moisture in California would certainly be welcome.

The East will see a cooler pattern next week, but we aren't expecting any snow just yet.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (10/15).

ALAN SMITH