Spring Skiing Ahead for Many Areas

A much more benign weather pattern is taking hold across a large portion of North America this weekend and into early next week. The exception will be the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, where a moist and consistent southwest flow pattern will transport mild air and subtropical moisture into the region. As a result, snow levels will be rising with many ski areas in the Cascades and British Columbia seeing an eventual changeover to rain.

The U.S. Rockies and the Sierra will experience their first true warm & sunny spring-like pattern of the season this weekend and early next week. The Upper Midwest, New England, and Northern Mid-Atlantic will also see a nice drying trend this weekend and early next week with spring skiing conditions expected for areas that are still spinning their lifts.

Forecast for Fri, Apr 7 – Sat, Apr 8:

A series of storms will begin to impact the Northwest and far Northern Rockies during this period with warmer air resulting in rising snow levels. The Northern Sierra will also see some snow on Friday followed by a drying trend on Saturday. The Central & Southern Rockies will head into a warmer & drier pattern during this period.

Across the eastern half of North America, a minor disturbance moving across the Great Lakes could bring a narrow band of moderate snow to portions of Wisconsin and Michigan on Friday, though confidence is low in exactly where this band will set up.

The Northeast and most of the Mid-Atlantic will be dry during this pattern, but a backdoor cold front moving from the Northern Atlantic into the Southeast will result in a cool and rainy pattern across the Southern Appalachians (VA, NC, SC, GA) on Friday and Saturday.

Forecast for Sun, Apr 9 – Mon, Apr 10:

A stronger storm tapping into subtropical moisture will impact the Northwest during this period, resulting in a further rise in snow levels across the Cascades and Southern BC with rain expected at most ski resorts. A cold front will move into Northwest BC during this period with lowering snow levels and heavy snow expected across the Northern BC Coast Range and Southeast Alaska.

The Sierra, Rockies, Upper Midwest, and East will see a dry and warm pattern during this period with more abundant sunshine, so get out and enjoy whether on the slopes or on the trails!

Forecast for Tue, Apr 11 – Wed, Apr 12:

The storm track will continue to favor the Northwest during this period. Colder air will also be working its way back into the area, resulting in lowering snow levels with many ski areas seeing a transition back to snow – at least across their middle to higher terrain.

Outlook for Thu, Apr 13 – Mon, Apr 17:

A cooler airmass will gradually take hold across the West during this period with most areas seeing a transition to below-average temperatures. Storms will have a tendency to split in half and exhibit wobbly/erratic movement as they track across the West, which makes for a tricky pattern to nail down this far out.

At the moment, Northern BC/Southeast Alaska and the Central U.S. Rockies look most favored for snow, including the potential for some upslope snow on the eastern slopes of the Rockies.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (April 10).

ALAN SMITH