Deep snow totals for the West over the next five days

A series of strong storms will impact the West through the end of this week, resulting in huge snowfall totals across the Sierra Nevada and Wasatch Ranges in particular, while the Cascades and the Colorado Rockies will also score the goods. Further north, snowfall totals will be somewhat lighter but still impressive across the Tetons, Idaho, and British Columbia. 

Check our 5-day Powder Finder:

Forecast for Wed, Dec 28 – Thu, Dec 29:

Snow from the last storm will taper off around Tahoe on Wednesday morning, then the focus will shift eastward into the Rockies with heavy snow expected across Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Snow showers will also persist across the Northwest and Northern Rockies on Wednesday before picking up on Thursday across the Cascades and Sierra as the next storm arrives.

A storm will move across Southeast Canada on Wednesday and will clip northern portions of the Great Lakes as well as Northern New England with light snow. The Buffalo, NY area will finally see a break from the insane lake effect snowfall from recent days. 

Forecast for Fri, Dec 30 – Sat, Dec 31:

A series of storms will produce extremely heavy snowfall across Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Range during this period while Utah and Colorado will continue to score the goods. The Northwest will also get in on the action with another period of heavy snow, while the Northern Rockies and British Columbia/Alberta will see lighter amounts. 

A warm-up will commence across the East during this period and a storm will produce all-rain across the Mid-Atlantic on Saturday.

Forecast for Sun, Jan 1 – Mon, Jan 2:

Heavy snow will begin to taper off around Tahoe on Sunday as the main focus shifts into the Central and Southern Rockies once again. Utah and Colorado are in line to receive deep snow totals during this period, while Arizona and New Mexico should also do well.

Further north, Southeast Alaska is in a position to receive a big storm during this period. Snow should also reach the Cascades and Southwest BC on Monday as a storm approaches. 

Rain will fall across the Northeast on Sunday, but it's possible that portions of Southeast Canada and Northern New England could see a changeover to snow showers on Sunday night/early Monday after a cold front moves through.

Outlook for Tue, Jan 3 – Sat, Jan 7:

An active pattern will continue across the West during this period. Initially, the storm track will favor the Sierra and the Central Rockies (including Utah and Colorado). By later in this period, we may also see an uptick in storms across the Pacific Northwest. The East will remain in a mild pattern during this period with above-average temperatures.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (Dec 30).

ALAN SMITH