A break ahead for the West following a deep pattern

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 2 years ago January 7, 2022

Summary

Impressive snow totals have been adding up across the Northwest and the Rockies this week. One last storm will move through on Friday and early Saturday, then the pattern will take a break across the West next week with the storm track retreating well north into BC. The East and especially the Mid-Atlantic is waking up to more snow on Friday, with mixed precip expected Sunday-Monday.

Short Term Forecast

Impressive snow totals across the Northwest & Rockies this week

A series of powerful storms produced deep snow totals across the West this week. The best conditions occurred during the first half of the week from Monday through Wednesday, while warmer temperatures, dense snow, and low elevation rain impacted some areas on Thursday.

Some of the deepest 5-day snow totals this week (ending Thursday) include 62" at Mt. Baker, 38" at Crystal Mountain, 37" at Jackson Hole, 36" at Whitewater, 30" at Whistler, 25" at Beaver Mountain, and 24" at Steamboat.

Check out this shot from Jackson Hole during the heart of the storm cycle on Wednesday:

Forecast for Fri 1/7 – Sat 1/8:

The next storm will arrive on Friday with a cold front leading to better snow conditions and moderate to heavy totals across the Pacific Northwest on Friday. Light to moderate snow will then move across the Rockies from late Friday afternoon through Saturday morning. The Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England will see a good round of snow on Friday as well.

Forecast for Sun 1/9 – Mon 1/10:

The storm track will retreat north with back-to-back storms bringing heavy snow to Northwest BC and Southeast Alaska, with lighter snow reaching Southwest BC though rain is possible for lower elevation resorts.

A storm will also impact the East with rain or mixed precipitation on Sunday giving way to backside snow showers on Monday. The exceptions to the mixed precipitation will be Northern New England and the Upper Midwest who should stay all-snow.

Forecast for Tue 1/11 – Wed 1/12:

Storms will continue to bring heavy snow to BC and Southeast Alaska, while ski resorts in Southwest BC and Northwest Washington will likely see high snow levels with rain impacting lower elevation areas. Most of the Western U.S. will stay dry, but a weak storm could bring some light snow to Arizona and New Mexico.

The Northeast and Upper Midwest will also see some light snow showers from time to time but significant amounts are not expected.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Thu 1/13 – Mon 1/17:

The storm track will continue to favor British Columbia and Alaska during this time, but ski resorts in Southwest BC and Northwest Washington could see rain issues from time to time with warmer air in place. The Northeast could also see some additional storms with milder temperatures expected compared to the prior week.