Heavy Snow Ahead for the West:

A significant storm cycle is getting underway early on Friday with heavy snow expected across the Northwest and the Rockies this weekend. This pattern is coming at just the right time as snowpack is below average throughout the West. Snowfall from this cycle will help to build up early-season bases at ski resorts across the region.

View → 5-Day Powder Finder for the U.S. and Canada

This pattern will start cold and end warm, with a transition from low-density powder to wet/dense snow (i.e. "upside down" snow conditions). Also, many ski resorts in the Northwest will see a change-over from snow to rain on Sunday or Monday once warmer air arrives.

For more details on this storm, check out these Daily Snows from our local forecasters:

• British Columbia
• Washington
• Oregon
• Idaho
• Jackson Hole
• Utah
• Colorado
• Chase Powder

Also, check out our automated snow and weather forecasts for the following ski resorts where some of the deepest snow totals are expected:

• Mt. Hood-Timberline
• Stevens Pass
• Grand Targhee
• Snowbird
• Steamboat

Forecast for Fri (Dec 1) to Sat (Dec 2):

This will be the cold part of the storm across the West with significant amounts of lower-density snowfall expected, while snow levels will also be low. This would be a great time to ski/ride powder, but skiable terrain is limited in many areas right now.

A storm will also move across the Northeast, but the arrival of warmer air will result in a rain/snow mix across New England.

Forecast for Sun (Dec 3) to Mon (Dec 4):

Warm subtropical air will gradually overtake the West during this period, with heavy snow continuing to fall but with a transition to wet/dense snow even across the Rockies. Snow will change over to rain at ski resorts in the Cascades, and eventually much of the Interior Northwest and British Columbia as well.

Another storm is expected to move across the Northwest, but considerable uncertainty exists in the storm track. There is a scenario where New England could receive heavy snow, but there are also scenarios where New England sees a rain/snow mix with heavier snow north of the border in Quebec. 

Check out the New England Daily Snow for more info.

Forecast for Tue (Dec 5) to Wed (Dec 6):

Another mild and wet storm will impact the Northwest with rain for the Cascades, while Canada will see a rain/snow mix depending on timing and elevation. Heavy snow is expected further north in Alaska. Across the East, a storm could potentially bring snow to parts of the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic.

Outlook for Thu (Dec 7) to Mon (Dec 11):

Confidence in the pattern decreases significantly for this period as medium-range models are all over the place. It does look like a storm of some sort will slide across the Northwest and into the Rockies early in this period, while New England could potentially see some light snow as well.

Confidence is somewhat higher that a more favorable pattern will set up across Alaska with the potential for heavy snow, along with cold air which would support low snow levels (around sea level).

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Monday (December 4).

Alan Smith