Snow and mid-winter cold for the West

An active pattern with unseasonably cold temperatures has persisted across the West this week, resulting in heavy snow and low snow levels across the Sierra, Southern Cascades, and Rockies. Ski resorts are enjoying outstanding late-season conditions this year, including Bogus Basin, Idaho who woke up to a deep powder day on Thursday. 

Forecast for Fri, Mar 31 – Sat, Apr 1:

Snow from a departing storm will linger across the Central Rockies on Friday, while a strong storm will make landfall in the Northwest with heavy snow developing across BC, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

A powerful storm system will also impact the eastern half of the country with snow changing to rain across New England, while the Midwest will see a mixed bag of snow, sleet, rain, and thunderstorms on Friday before changing to heavy snow across parts of Wisconsin and Michigan. 

Forecast for Sun, Apr 2 – Mon, Apr 3:

A storm will continue to impact the West during this period with moderate to heavy snow expected across the Cascades and the Rockies, while the Sierra will get in on the action as well. Rain will change to light snow across New England on Saturday night/early Sunday, but then another storm will arrive on Monday with rain expected.

Forecast for Tue, Apr 4 – Wed, Apr 5:

A strong storm will impact the Central Rockies during this period the heaviest snow expected east of the Continental Divide in Wyoming as well as the Black Hills of South Dakota, with more variable (but in some cases moderate to heavy) snow west of the Divide. Light snow showers will also linger across the Cascades and the Sierra, with light snow also possible in the Canadian Rockies.

A storm will across the eastern half of North America will bring rain to the Appalachians and New England during this period while parts of the Upper Midwest could see a change-over to heavy snow on the colder backside of the storm.

Outlook for Thu, Apr 6 – Mon, Apr 10:

The pattern will finally start to relax across the West during this period as a weak ridge of high pressure gradually takes control across the region. Snow will still be possible at times across the Western U.S., but will generally be lighter and less frequent. Temperatures will also start out unseasonably cold during this period before gradually trending warmer with conditions becoming more spring-like.

The dominant storm track will shift further north during this time, favoring Northwest BC and Alaska. Across the East, spring-like conditions are generally expected with periods of sunshine interspersed with rainy systems, and perhaps some occasional snow mixing in across New England.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (April 3).

ALAN SMITH