Storm track favors the Northwest & the Rockies

US and Canada Daily Snow

Heads up, there may be fresher snow! Read the latest US and Canada Daily Snow

By Alan Smith, Meteorologist Posted 1 year ago December 19, 2022

Summary

A slow-moving storm will move across the Pacific Northwest and into the Rockies from Mon to Thu with powder days likely for many areas. The Upper Midwest will see heavy snow Thu to Sat while the storm track will likely result in mixed precip for the East. An arctic front will work its way across the U.S. this week, resulting in frigid temps for the West early week & the East late week.

Short Term Forecast

Snow for the Northwest and the Rockies

A storm will work its way across the Pacific Northwest early this week before reaching the Rockies mid-week with low-density powder likely for many areas as arctic air works its way in from the north. Favored areas this week include Washington, Idaho, Southwest BC, Northern Oregon, Northwest Montana, Western Wyoming, Northern Utah, and Northern Colorado.

Forecast for Mon, Dec 19 – Tue, Dec 20:

Monday will be relatively quiet across the Northwest with light snow showers in between storms. Snow will then pick up across the Northwest and Northern Rockies on Tuesday as the next storm arrives. Snow levels will be very low with this storm thanks to cold air in place.

Snow showers will continue across the Upper Midwest, New York, and New England on Monday and Tuesday with some locally heavy lake effect snow showers possible.

Forecast for Wed, Dec 21 – Thu, Dec 22:

Snow will linger across the Cascades Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. The main focus of snow will then shift into the Northern and Central Rockies on Wednesday and Thursday. Further east, a storm will bring snow to the Great Lakes Region on Thursday, while the Mid-Atlantic will see a mix of snow, ice, and rain.

Forecast for Fri, Dec 23 – Sat, Dec 24:

Another storm will impact the West during this time with heavy snow initially across the Cascades and Southwest BC. However, warmer air arriving will likely result in a changeover to rain for Cascade ski resorts by Saturday. The Rockies should see another round of snow during this period as well.

A strong storm across the East will result in heavy snow across portions of the Great Lakes. Most areas of the East will see precipitation starting out as snow or mixed precipitation, before changing to rain as warmer air arrives, then back to snow on the backside of the system as arctic air arrives. This will be a complex system, so confidence remains low in the details at this time.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Sun, Dec 25 – Thu, Dec 29:

A fairly active storm track is expected out West during this period, but warmer temperatures are also expected, which will likely result in rain at times across the maritime ranges. As a result, the Northern/Central Rockies will be the most favored areas. Across the East, a cold pattern is expected but it may end up being on the drier side with the best snow chances confined to the Great Lakes and Northern New England.