Deep pattern for the West next week:

Confidence continues to increase regarding the potential for multiple strong storms next week. Initially, storms will favor the Northwest and Northern Rockies early next week. By mid to late next week, the focus of heavy snow will shift further south into the Sierra Nevada Range and Central/Southern Rockies.

Be sure to check out our Daily Snows for local details on this upcoming pattern, and also check out our Powder Finder to view our deepest forecasts.

Forecast for Fri, Feb 17 – Sat, Feb 18:

Back-to-back storms will move from northwest to southeast across BC into the WA Cascades and Northern Idaho/Montana during this period, producing light to moderate snow. Heavier snow can be expected further north in Alaska's coastal ranges.

A storm will impact the East on Friday with rain across the Mid-Atlantic and a mix of rain and ice across New England, while areas north of the St. Lawrence River in Quebec, as well as Northern Maine, will stay all-snow. Colder air arriving on the backside of the storm will result in a change-over to light snow showers/flurries on Friday night across the Appalachians. 

Forecast for Sun, Feb 19 – Mon, Feb 20:

A series of strong storms will begin to impact the Northwest during this period with heavy snow developing across BC, Washington, Northern Idaho, Montana, and Northwest Wyoming. A weaker storm will impact the Midwest and Northeast with snow developing across the Northern Great Lakes Region while the Northeast including New England will see a mix of rain and snow showers.

Forecast for Tue, Feb 21 – Wed, Feb 22:

A strong storm will impact the West during this period with deep totals expected to add up across nearly all major ski regions from the Pacific Northwest to the Rockies to the Sierra. Another weak storm is expected across the Northeast with light snow possible on Wednesday, while parts of the Great Lakes region should see higher snow totals.

Outlook for Thu, Feb 23 – Mon, Feb 27:

The storm track during this period will favor Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada Range for the deepest snowfall potential with parts of the Central Rockies likely getting in on the action as well. Areas further north toward the Canadian border will dry out early in this period as an arctic airmass takes hold, resulting in frigid temperatures, then snow chances may return to northern areas by late in the period. 

A colder and more active pattern is expected across the Great Lakes and Northeast as well. Early in this period, a storm may produce a mixed bag of precipitation across New England with improving chances for snow by later in the period. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (Feb 20).

ALAN SMITH