New England Snow:

Northern New England is enjoying outstanding early season conditions this year. A series of storms has dropped 1-3 feet of snow over the past 10 days across northern portions of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, as well as Southeast Quebec. Jay Peak has been the big winner so far this early season with nearly 3 feet measured over the past 10 days, and a season-to-date total of 89 inches.

Forecast for Wed (Dec 6) to Thu (Dec 7):

A storm will move across the Northwest and colder air will result in falling snow levels and a changeover from rain to snow at most ski resorts. The Southern Oregon Cascades and Southern/Central Idaho will be favored in this pattern, as will Southeast BC and the Canadian Rockies in Alberta. On the southern fringe of the storm track, Tahoe and the Northern Sierra will also pick up some much-needed snow.

In the East, a storm will move across the Mid-Atlantic with snow showers developing across lake effect regions of New York and Pennsylvania, as well as the higher terrain of West Virginia and North Carolina where light to moderate accumulations are expected. 

Forecast for Fri (Dec 8) to Sat (Dec 9):

A storm will slide into the Central Rockies on Friday with moderate to locally heavy snow totals expected across Colorado. Another storm will move into the Northwest with moderate snow expected for the Cascades, while Northern BC and Southeast Alaska will see deep totals. 

Forecast for Sun (Dec 10) to Mon (Dec 11):

A storm moving into the Northwest is expected to weaken as it moves eastward into the Northern Rockies with only light snow expected for most areas. Northern Utah and Colorado will be right on the southern fringe and may end up with little more than flurries. 

A storm is expected to impact the East during this period, though confidence is low in the storm track and associated impacts. For now, it looks like the heaviest snow will be west of the St. Lawrence River in Canada, with a high likelihood of mixed precipitation or rain for the Eastern U.S. and Southeast Quebec.

Outlook for Tue (Dec 12) to Sat (Dec 16):

High pressure is expected to build across the West next week, resulting in a drier pattern overall though an occasional weak storm couldn't be ruled out. The dominant storm track will shift northward into Southeast Alaska.

Across the East, colder temperatures are expected to prevail with good snowmaking conditions, but the pattern looks relatively dry. The exception may be Northern New England where weak disturbances could bring additional snow showers. 

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (December 8).

Alan Smith