Snowy pattern ahead for PNW & British Columbia

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 5, 2021

Summary

An active pattern will continue for the Northwest and colder air will result in a change-over from rain to snow at most ski areas with nice totals adding up through early next week. A storm will also impact a larger portion of the West early to mid next week with snow for the Sierra and Rockies in addition to the Northwest.

Short Term Forecast

Heavy snow for the Northwest this weekend and next week

An active pattern will result in near-daily storms hitting the Northwest Coast from this Friday through the middle of next week, and best of all, colder temperatures will result in snow levels lowering to the base of most ski resorts.

British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon resorts will see the deepest totals over the next 5-7 days, but a storm will impact the Western U.S. next week as well with snow for the Sierra and the Northern & Central Rockies. Check out the projected 5-day snowfall totals from Friday morning through Wednesday morning.

Forecast for Fri 11/5 – Sat 11/6

The Pacific Northwest will see two back-to-back storms on Friday & Saturday with progressively lowering snow levels both days as rain changes over to snow for nearly all ski areas by Saturday. The second storm on Saturday will move across the Northern Rockies as well and light snow will extend as far south as Tahoe.

Forecast for Sun 11/7 – Mon 11/8

A strong and cold storm will bring heavy snow to the Cascades and British Columbia on Sunday with light to moderate snow reaching the Northern Rockies on Sunday night and Monday. A weaker storm located farther south could also result in light to moderate snow stretching from California to Western Wyoming.

Forecast for Tue 11/9 – Wed 11/10

The next storm will impact a larger portion of the West on Tuesday and Wednesday. The BC Coast Range, Cascades, and Sierra will be favored for the deepest snow totals with lower confidence on where the heaviest snow will fall across the Rockies.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Thu 11/11 – Mon 11/15

Lingering moisture on the backside of the Tuesday-Wednesday storm could result in additional snow for the Central Rockies on Thursday (11/11). After that, high pressure will build over the Western U.S. with a trend toward milder weather, while the storm track will lift northward into British Columbia where additional storms are likely. The East will also turn more active with hints of snow potential showing up late in this period.