Milder Pattern Lower 48 For Now, Next Week Looks Active West

US and Canada Daily Snow

By Alan Smith, Meteorologist Posted 1 day ago October 21, 2024

Summary

The Southern Rockies will see a break in the pattern this week after receiving heavy snow over the weekend. Overall, warmer temperatures are expected across the Lower 48, though weaker storms will bring light rain & snow to the Northwest at times. A stronger storm will begin to impact the Pacific NW this weekend, with the potential for a colder & more active pattern across the West next week.

Short Term Forecast

Recent Snowfall Southern Rockies:

A storm brought heavy snow to the Four Corners region over the weekend. Most ski resorts are not reporting snowfall yet this year, but check out our estimated snow totals based on our forecast data. Ski areas with the highest estimated totals include Wolf Creek, Silverton, Taos, and Arizona Snowbowl.

Check out this view from Taos on Sunday at about 12,000 feet.

Forecast for Mon (Oct 21) to Tue (Oct 22):

Other than some lingering snow over Northern Colorado early on Monday, the Southwest, Central Rockies, and Eastern U.S. will see a warmer and drier pattern take hold early this week as the jet stream lifts northward.

A weak storm will bring a mix of rain and snow to the Pacific Northwest with more significant snow to the north in Alaska.

Forecast for Wed (Oct 23) to Thu (Oct 24):

Models have just recently picked up on a storm dropping out of Canada and tracking across the Northern U.S. Rockies during the middle of the week. This storm is expected to bring a quick shot of snow to Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

To the north, heavy snow is expected across South Central and Southeast Alaska, with lighter snow for Central and Northern BC.

Forecast for Fri (Oct 25) to Sat (Oct 26):

A stronger storm will impact the Northwest with heavy snow for the coastal ranges of Alaska and BC, while snow is also expected to reach the Washington Cascades and BC Interior (mid-mountain-ish snow levels at most ski areas initially).

A storm is also expected to track across the Northeast U.S. with the potential for a changeover from rain to snow across the higher terrain of Northern New England.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Sun (Oct 27) to Thu (Oct 31):

A more active pattern is projected to set up across the West next week with colder temperatures and increased snowfall potential across the Northwest and the Rockies. This will be something to keep an eye on as we get closer. A milder pattern is expected to resume across the East with above-average temperatures.