Active pattern for Eastern North America

The East and Upper Midwest will be favored during the second half of January with Monday's Nor'easter being followed by consistent below-average temperatures along with an active storm track. Most areas of the West will remain in an unfavorable pattern for snow with a persistent ridge of high pressure in place. 

Forecast for Mon 1/17 – Tue 1/18:

Heavy snow will fall across the Northeast on Monday with lighter lingering snow for the Mid-Atlantic and Southern Appalachians. Snow showers will linger across the East on Tuesday while the Upper Midwest will see a round of snow arrive on Tuesday afternoon, especially near the Canadian border.

A storm will impact Western Canada and the far Northern U.S. Rockies on Monday & Tuesday with the best snow expected across Eastern BC & Western Alberta while rain could fall up to mid-mountain or higher for coastal ski resorts. 

Forecast for Wed 1/19 – Thu 1/20:

A weak storm will move from northwest to southeast along the Continental Divide on Wednesday with flurries possible across the Central and Southern Rockies. The next storm will bring heavy snow to Southeast Alaska & Northwest BC with moderate snow for Interior BC and Northern Idaho & Montana. Snow levels (rain/snow line) will be fairly high across the Coast Range and Cascades as warmer air arrives. 

The Upper Midwest will see snowfall through Wednesday morning with snow showers also developing across the East on Wednesday and Thursday.

Forecast for Fri 1/21 – Sat 1/22:

Another strong storm is possible across the East during this period, but confidence is low with regard to the storm track, and one possibility is that the storm tracks too far off the coast for areas to see much snow. Across the West, a weak storm will bring light snow to the Rockies on Friday while a stronger storm will bring heavy snow to Alaska and far Northwest BC.

Outlook for Sun 1/23 – Thu 1/27:

Next week's pattern will continue to favor the East and Upper Midwest with frequent snow chances along with well-below-average temperatures, which will support good snowmaking conditions for Eastern resorts as well. The ridge of high pressure across the West will further strengthen with mild conditions expected for most areas, while the storm track will retreat northward into Alaska. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Wednesday (1/19).

ALAN SMITH