Mild pattern for most areas, PNW looks active this weekend

US and Canada Daily Snow

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

By Alan Smith, Meteorologist Posted 3 years ago November 3, 2021

Summary

Colorado saw a nice storm on Tuesday, but the next couple of days will be relatively quiet for most of North America. The Pacific Northwest is experiencing mild temps and rain this week, but that changes this weekend as colder air arrives and rain changes to snow. A stronger storm could impact much of the West next week.

Short Term Forecast

Break in the pattern for now, but changes ahead this weekend and next week

Colorado saw a nice round of snow on Tuesday as a storm moved through. Snow reports are not available at the time of this posting, but 5-10 inches were forecasted for Northern Colorado. Here was the view from Keystone on Tuesday afternoon as the storm approached Summit County.

As we head into the weekend and next week, the pattern will turn snowy across the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. Most other ski regions in the West will see a storm at some point next week as well.

Forecast for Wed 11/3 – Thu 11/4

Snow will taper off across the Central Rockies early on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a storm will impact the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada on Wednesday night and Thursday. This will mostly be a rain event, though the upper portions of some ski areas could see a change-over to snow later Thursday. Heavier snowfall will be confined to the coastal ranges of Northwest BC and Alaska.

Snow showers can also be expected across the Northeast and Upper Midwest on both Wednesday and Thursday with light accumulations for some areas.

Forecast for Fri 11/5 – Sat 11/6

The next storm will move across the Northwest and Northern Rockies on Friday and Saturday with colder air resulting in a change-over from rain to snow across most ski areas. The BC Coast Range and Northern Cascades will see the deepest snow totals.

Forecast for Sun 11/7 – Mon 11/8

Another storm will move across the Northwest and Northern Rockies on Sunday and Monday. It's possible that some energy tracking south of the main system could produce a round of snow across the Sierra, Wasatch, and Tetons on Monday, but confidence is low at this time.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Tue 11/9 – Sat 11/13

A stronger storm is likely to impact a larger portion of the West during the 11/9 to 11/11 timeframe with the PNW, Sierra, and Northern U.S. Rockies looking like the most favored regions. Late in this period, the main storm track will shift northward again favoring the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada. A milder pattern is likely to resume over the East with minimal snow potential expected.