Impressive early season storm cycle for the West

November is off to a snowy start across the West thanks to a series of strong storms over the next week. Great news as ski resorts open up for the season over the coming weeks!

Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest will see heavy snow this weekend and into early next week with lowering snow levels, while the Northern Rockies will see multiple storms through mid-next week.

The storm track will also focus on Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada Range, and the Wasatch during the first half of next week with multiple rounds of heavy snow likely.

Forecast for Fri 11/4 – Sat 11/5:

Lingering snow from Thursday's storm will taper off across Southern Colorado and New Mexico on Friday morning.

Up north, British Columbia and Alberta will score the goods on Friday and into Saturday with lowering snow levels as cold air arrives. Washington and Northern Idaho will see rain on Friday before changing to heavy snow on Saturday.

Heavy snow will also fall across Idaho, Montana, and Western Wyoming, while Northern Utah and Northern Colorado will see lighter snow on the southern edge of the storm track. 

Forecast for Sun 11/6 – Mon 11/7:

Snow will linger across portions of the Central Rockies on Sunday, as attention shifts to the next storm along the West Coast that will bring heavy snow (and low snow levels due to cold air) across Washington and Oregon on Sunday.

On Sunday night and Monday, the focus of the storm will shift into California with heavy snow developing from Tahoe to Mammoth, while the plume of moisture associated with this storm will also shift inland with heavy snow developing across the Wasatch and Tetons.

Forecast for Tue 11/8 – Wed 11/9:

A strong storm will continue to impact California, Nevada, Utah, and Western Wyoming during this time. Models are not in full agreement on exactly how this plays out, but Tahoe, the Wasatch, and the Tetons will all be in play for scoring additional deep totals.

Outlook for Thu 11/10 – Mon 11/14:

Colder-than-average temperatures will persist across the West during this period, but the storm track should relax a bit compared to the previous week. Even so, the door will remain open for weak to moderate storms to track into the Western U.S. with Tahoe looking like the most favored region, while the PNW and the Rockies could pick up some more snow as well. 

The Eastern U.S. will remain in a holding pattern with above-average warmth persisting along with no snow, but remember that it's still early in the year and eventually winter conditions will take hold (don't forget about the early taste of winter the East saw in October). 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (11/7).

ALAN SMITH