More active pattern ahead for the West following unseasonable warmth

Spring skiing was in full effect across the West late last week and over the weekend with temperatures approaching record levels in some areas. The Eastern U.S., on the other hand, saw a nice late-season storm with accumulating snow and colder temperatures across the Mid-Atlantic and New England.

Over the upcoming week, the West will turn more active with Colorado being the most favored for powder-day level snowfall. Western ski resorts with the deepest forecasts over the next 5 days include Silverton (CO), Telluride (CO), Wolf Creek (CO), Brian Head (UT), and Eaglecrest (AK).

Forecast for Mon 3/28 – Tue 3/29:

A storm will move into the West on Monday with moderate snow falling across the Sierra Nevada Range and SoCal Mountains, followed by moderate to heavy snowfall for Southwest Colorado on Monday night and Tuesday. Check out the Colorado Daily Snow for the latest.

A weaker storm will move across BC and Alberta on Monday but mild air will result in rain and high snow levels across BC, while most Canadian Rockies ski resorts in Alberta will stay all-snow. Southeast Alaska will also see a strong storm on Monday/Tuesday with heavy snow expected.

Light snow showers will also continue across the Northeast and Northern Mid-Atlantic on Monday following the weekend storm.

Forecast for Wed 3/30 – Thu 3/31:

Snow will continue to fall across Colorado and New Mexico into Wednesday. The next storm will impact the Northwest on Wednesday and Thursday with colder air and lower snow levels expected. Snow from this storm will eventually reach the Wasatch and Tetons on Thursday as well.

A strong storm will also impact the Upper Midwest on Wednesday and Thursday with precipitation starting out as rain or mixed precipitation in some areas before changing to all-snow with significant amounts possible near Lake Superior.

Forecast for Fri 4/1 – Sat 4/2:

Another storm is likely across the Northwest during this period but models are in poor agreement regarding the storm track, so confidence is low in terms of which areas across the Pacific Northwest and Northern/Central Rockies will be most favored for snow.

The same storm that impacted the Midwest in previous days will move into the East on Friday and Saturday with rain expected at first. However, a cold front arriving should result in rain changing over to snow across much of the Northeast on Saturday. 

Outlook for Sun 4/3 – Thu 4/7:

The storm track will be most favorable across the Northwest and Northern Rockies with at least one storm likely during this period, while Utah and Colorado may be close to the southern fringe of the storm track but could pick up some new snow. The East will remain in an unsettled pattern with additional rain/snow chances as well.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Wednesday (3/30).

ALAN SMITH