Storm Cycle Favors British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest

A deep storm cycle took hold across Alaska and Northern BC late last week with deep snow totals adding up across Northeast BC in particular. Powder King Mountain Resort was the big winner across all of North America this past weekend after picking up 165 cm (66 inches) in only 5 days from February 1st-5th!

Southern BC and the Northwest U.S. also picked up some nice snow totals over the weekend, with heavier snow on the way for this region from Monday through Wednesday. 

Forecast for Mon, Feb 6 – Tue, Feb 7:

Lingering snow from a weekend storm will fall across the U.S. Rockies on Monday with light to moderate totals expected. A stronger storm will then impact Alaska, BC, and the Northern Washington Cascades on Monday and Tuesday with deep snow totals adding up throughout these areas. 

A relatively weak storm will also move across the Great Lakes and Northern New England on Monday night and Tuesday with light snow totals expected for most areas, though favored lake effect areas could see locally higher totals. 

Forecast for Wed, Feb 8 – Thu, Feb 9:

Snow will continue on Wednesday across Southern BC and the Pacific Northwest on the backside of the storm while a round of light to moderate snow will develop across the Northern and Central U.S. Rockies. A storm will then stall and linger off the West Coast on Thursday with enough moisture reaching the Coast Range of Northwest BC and Alaska for more snow to develop. 

Back-to-back storms will impact the East during this period, but warmer air arriving will result in a change-over to rain across most areas on Thursday with possibly some ice mixed in across parts of Northern New England. 

Forecast for Fri, Feb 10 – Sat, Feb 11:

A storm hanging off the West Coast will continue to produce snow across the Coast Range of BC and Alaska with limited moisture making it inland. The storm will eventually dive southward while remaining offshore. There is a slight chance the Cascades and Sierra could see enough moisture arriving from this offshore storm for snow to develop, but confidence is low and there is a good chance these areas will ultimately stay dry. 

A storm will continue to impact the East on Friday with rain or mixed precipitation expected, but a cold front will arrive on Friday night and Saturday with a changeover to snow expected throughout the Appalachians. 

Outlook for Sun, Feb 12 – Thu, Feb 16:

A more active pattern is expected to develop across the Western U.S. during this period, but confidence is low regarding which areas will be most favored. The East will see well-above-average temperatures during this period, and as a result, rain will be a frequent issue with storms that arrive. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Wednesday (Feb 8).

ALAN SMITH