Deep early week totals for Western Canada and the Northwest U.S.

A well-advertised storm cycle began up north last weekend and early this week with deep multi-day snow totals adding up across the Interior of British Columbia along with the Canadian Rockies and Pacific Northwest. Parts of Montana also received deep totals as did the Tetons in Wyoming.

This has been one of the deepest storms of the season for the BC Interior and Canadian Rockies with 2-day snow totals of 25-50 cm (12-24") being reported at many as of Tuesday morning.

Check out the scene from Lake Louise on Tuesday:

Forecast for Wed, Feb 22 – Thu, Feb 23:

The focus of the storm will transition southward from the Northern Rockies into the Central/Southern Rockies on Wednesday with deep totals expected across Utah, Colorado, and Arizona while additional snow showers can be expected across the Rockies on Thursday.

Meanwhile, a second storm will develop off the PNW Coast and progress southward toward California, resulting in heavy snow across Oregon and California. 

A strong storm will also impact the Midwest, New York, and New England during this period with a swath of heavy snow developing from Southern Minnesota to Wisconsin/Michigan and into Upstate New York and Northern New England. However, just to the south of the heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain can be expected from the Southern Great Lakes Region into PA/NY and Southern New England. 

Forecast for Fri, Feb 24 – Sat, Feb 25:

A storm will continue to strengthen off the California Coast during this period and remain nearly stationary, resulting in very heavy snow across both the Sierra Nevada Range and the SoCal Mountains along with low snow levels as temperatures will be unseasonably cold. Further north, a strong storm will impact the Northern Coast Range of BC.

Snow showers from the previous storm will linger across New England into Friday, then another weaker storm will move across the Midwest and Northeast with a round of light snow on Friday night and Saturday. Snow could extend far enough south for the Central Mid-Atlantic (WV, MD, etc.) to see some flakes as well. 

Forecast for Sun, Feb 26 – Mon, Feb 27:

An active pattern can be expected throughout the West with storms potentially impacting both the Northwest and the Southwest. However, confidence is low regarding individual storm tracks and timing. Meanwhile, a messy pattern will set up across the Midwest and East as a storm containing warm air brings rain to the Great Lakes area and into New England with ice and wet snow mixed in for some. 

Outlook for Tue, Feb 28 – Sat, Mar 4:

An active pattern will continue across the West during this period. The Sierra Nevada Range and Tahoe may end up being favored for the deepest totals, but the Rockies, PNW, and possibly Canada should see some action as well and temperatures will remain below average throughout the West.

An active pattern will continue across the Northeast as well with snow likely across the higher terrain during this period, but rain or mixed precipitation will be possible with some storms.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (Feb 24).

ALAN SMITH