Significant late-season snow for the West over the next 7-10 days

The calendar might say April, but the weather pattern is going to look and feel winter-like for at least the next week as a slow-moving storm system featuring well below-average temperatures works its way into the Western U.S.

This storm will be tricky to nail down as models are in poor agreement on the storm track heading into the start of next week, but many areas are likely to see heavy snow at some point through Wednesday (4/13). Additional storms are likely across the West late next week as well.

Forecast for Fri 4/8 – Sat 4/9:

A storm will move into the Northwest on Friday and Saturday with heavy snow developing across Coastal BC and Washington with light to moderate snow for Oregon as well as the Northern Rockies. A cold and wet storm will also impact the East with high elevation snow throughout the Appalachians, especially on Saturday.

Forecast for Sun 4/10 – Mon 4/11:

Uncertainty begins to arise on Sunday and Monday regarding the track of the Western storm and which areas will see the most snowfall. Right now, the Oregon Cascades and portions of the Northern/Central Rockies appear to be the most favored, but Tahoe could get in on the action as well. Lingering high elevation snow showers will persist across the East on Sunday before drying out on Monday.

Forecast for Tue 4/12 – Wed 4/13:

A slow-moving storm will continue to impact the West on Tuesday and Wednesday with heavy snow possible for many areas, especially in the Rockies, though confidence remains low in the storm track and where exactly the deepest snow totals will occur. 

Outlook for Thu 4/14 – Mon 4/18:

The previous slow-moving storm should finally exit on Thursday, but additional storms are likely during this period across the Northwest and Northern Rockies, with the Sierra and Central Rockies possibly seeing some more action as well. Temperatures will remain colder than average across most of the West. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (4/11).

ALAN SMITH

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