Most areas see a break, then snow returns this weekend

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 January 11, 2023

Summary

Heavy snow has been falling across the Sierra and the Rockies so far this week. Most areas of the West will see a brief lull in the pattern mid to late week with the exception being the PNW where rain will be an issue. Storms will return this weekend & next week along with colder temps. The East will see a storm late this week with rain changing to snow for the Mid-Atlantic & New England.

Short Term Forecast

Never-ending storms for the Sierra and the Central Rockies

The pattern has been relentless across the Sierra, Wasatch, and much of the Central Rockies over the past few weeks with frequent storms and deep totals. Snowpack is well above average for early January across these areas. Here are a couple of scenes from the past week:

Aside from a brief break later this week, an active storm track will continue with more storms for California and Utah (and the West as a whole) over the next 10 days.

Forecast for Wed, Jan 11 – Thu, Jan 12:

Heavy snow will taper off across the Sierra early on Wednesday with the main focus of snow shifting into the Rockies on Wednesday and Wednesday evening. Another storm will clip Tahoe and Northern California on Wednesday before moving northward into the Cascades. Warm air will also be arriving in the Cascades, resulting in a changeover to rain at most ski resorts in the PNW by Thursday.

A storm will also impact the East during this period with light rain/snow showers developing on Wednesday, followed by more widespread rain for most areas on Thursday. New York and New England will start as snow on Thursday before eventually changing to rain by Thursday evening.

Forecast for Fri, Jan 13 – Sat, Jan 14:

Rain showers will continue across the Cascades and Inland Northwest on Friday while British Columbia will see a mix of rain and snow with heavy snow possible above mid-mountain or so at higher-elevation ski areas. The Sierra will see back-to-back storms again on Friday & Saturday with moderate to heavy snow possible, while light showers will reach the PNW again on Saturday.

The East Coast storm will continue on Friday and a cold front arriving on the backside will result in a changeover from rain to snow throughout the Appalachians. Southeast Quebec will score the deepest totals, but Northern New England and the Central/Southern Appalachians will also score moderate amounts of snow.

Forecast for Sun, Jan 15 – Mon, Jan 16:

Two storms are expected to impact the West during this period, and while individual storm tracks remain in question this far out, all major ski regions have the potential to pick up some fresh powder. The East will see a break in the pattern, while a storm involving warm air will bring rain to the Great Lakes region.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Tue, Jan 17 – Sat, Jan 21:

The West will remain in an active pattern during this period with storms favoring the Sierra and Central Rockies initially before the storm track shifts northward and favors the Northwest and Northern Rockies more. The East will head back into a mild pattern with above-average temperatures along with the potential for more rain events.