Deep and powdery storm cycle for the Rockies

A strong storm involving cold temperatures impacted the Rockies this week with deep snow totals adding up from Montana to New Mexico. As of Thursday, some of the deepest 5-day snow totals included 37" at Snowbird (UT), 37" at Solitude (UT), 34" at Alta (UT), 33" at Wolf Creek (CO), 32" at Steamboat (CO), 29" at Jackson Hole (WY), 28" at Taos (NM), 26" at Arizona Snowbowl (NM), and 25" at Aspen Highlands (CO).

Forecast for Fri 3/11 – Sat 3/12:

Snow from the previous storm will linger across New Mexico and Arizona on Friday morning before tapering off in the afternoon. Further north, a series of storms will begin to impact Western Canada and the far Northern WA Cascades with moderate to heavy snow totals adding up, while the Northern U.S. Rockies could see a few light snow showers sneak in.

A strong storm involving an impressive shot of cold air will impact the East on Friday night and Saturday with moderate to locally heavy snow across the Central and Southern Appalachians, while New York and New England will score the deepest totals.

Forecast for Sun 3/13 – Mon 3/14:

Storms will continue to impact the Northwest during this period with the storm track shifting further south into the U.S. with heavy snow across the Cascades and light to moderate snow for the Rockies. Snow levels will begin to rise across the Northwest on Monday with rain possible for some lower elevation ski slopes.

Light snow will linger into Sunday morning across Northern New England, then additional weak disturbances will bring additional light snow to the Upper Midwest and Northeast on Sunday and Monday. 

Forecast for Tue 3/15 – Wed 3/16:

Periods of moderate to heavy snow will continue across the Northwest on Tuesday and Wednesday with snow levels lowering from west to east on Tuesday as a cold front moves through. Northern Idaho and Montana could pick up some heavy snow as well with lighter snow extending southward into Tahoe, Utah, and Colorado.

A series of weaker storms will continue to move across the Upper Midwest and Northeast, but a warm-up is also expected, resulting in a mix of rain and snow showers. 

Outlook for Thu 3/17 – Mon 3/21:

The storm track will continue to favor the Pacific Northwest, Western Canada, and Northern U.S. Rockies with new storms making landfall on the Pacific Coast every 1-2 days or so. We should see enough moisture and energy extend southward from time to time for Tahoe and the Central Rockies to pick up some snow as well. A much warmer pattern is expected for the East with limited snow potential.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (3/14).

ALAN SMITH