Pacific Northwest is back in the flow

January was a quiet month across the Northwest, but February has started off strong with deep snow totals reported across the Cascades earlier this week. More storms are on the way over the next 10 days as well along with a return to below-average temperatures, which will result in low snow levels and good snow conditions. 

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

A storm will split apart as it reaches the West Coast on Friday with more significant moisture and energy reaching the Coast Ranges of BC and Alaska where heavy snow can be expected. The southern part of the storm will be weaker and less organized with light to moderate snow showers developing across the Cascades on Friday and Sierra on Saturday.

Across the Northeast, a cold front will move through at the tail end of a storm on Friday morning with mixed precipitation changing over to snow showers. However, only light snow is expected in New York and New England with heavier snow further north in Quebec.

Forecast for Sun, Feb 12 – Mon, Feb 13:

A stronger storm will impact the Northwest during this period with moderate to heavy snow developing across BC on Sunday before moving into the Northwest U.S. on Sunday night and Monday. A weaker storm will move across the Four Corners region on Monday with snow developing across Arizona, New Mexico, and possibly Southern Colorado.

The Southern Appalachians will also join the party on Sunday as a storm moves across the Southeast with heavy snow developing over Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia. 

Forecast for Tue, Feb 14 – Wed, Feb 15:

A storm will impact a large portion of the West during this period. The Cascades will see lingering snow early on Tuesday while most of the action will shift into the Rockies on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is still some uncertainty regarding the storm track, but the Four Corners region and the eastern side of the Continental Divide from Colorado and to Southern Montana could potentially see heavy snow. 

A weak storm will move across the Northeast on Tuesday with light snow expected, then another storm will reach the East on Wednesday with warmer temperatures resulting in rain showers for both the Mid-Atlantic and New England. The Northern Great Lakes region could pick up some snow in the cold sector of this storm.

Outlook for Thu, Feb 16 – Mon, Feb 20:

The storm track heading into President's Day weekend will favor the Northwest at a minimum. Confidence is low regarding the dominant storm track once storms move further inland, but most areas of the Rockies will be in play for at least some snow and the Sierra could potentially see some action as well. 

The East could potentially see a storm around the 17th-18th, but rain will likely be a factor with warmer air in place.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (Feb 13).

ALAN SMITH