Major Storms with Snow Level Challenges in the West and East

US and Canada Daily Snow

By Alan Smith, Meteorologist Posted 21 hours ago November 20, 2024

Summary

We have an active pattern taking hold from coast to coast with heavy snow for parts of the West and the East. In the West, snow levels (the rain/snow line) will be on the rise mid to late week before lowering this weekend with heavy snow for Tahoe and the Sierra. A strong storm will also bring heavy snow to parts of New England and the Mid-Atlantic Thursday to Saturday.

Short Term Forecast

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5-Day Snow Forecast:

The next several days will be a roller coaster across the West with snow, rain, and strong winds for the maritime ranges.

Snow levels will be on the rise with a changeover to rain in the Sierra & Cascades late this week with lower snow levels & fewer rain issues in BC. Colder air arrives this weekend and the storm track shifts south with deep snow totals likely for Tahoe and Mammoth.

More details from our local forecasters:

The weather pattern is also turning more active across the East on the heels of what has been a very dry autumn.

A strong storm will bring heavy snow to ski areas in the Mid-Atlantic and New England. There will be some snow level challenges in the warm sector of the storm, however, with some ski areas receiving deep snow totals at the summits and rain or a mix at their base areas. Snow levels will drop over the weekend, however, as a colder airmass takes hold.

More details from our local forecasters:

Forecast for Wed (Nov 20) to Thu (Nov 21):

Heavy snow will fall on Wednesday over the Pacific Northwest and at the upper elevations of Tahoe resorts and Northern California. A significant rise in snow levels will occur on Thursday as a warm front arrives with many areas seeing a changeover to rain. Colder air will hold north of the border in Canada.

Across the East, a storm will bring rain to the Mid-Atlantic initially on Wednesday night followed by a changeover to snow in the mountains on Thursday with Northern Pennsylvania and Southern New York favored for deep totals. Further north in New England, rain begins Thursday with a changeover to snow (or a rain/snow mix for lower elevations) on Thursday night.

Across the Great Lakes region, the storm will primarily impact Western Michigan and Eastern Wisconsin with precipitation starting as rain and changing over to snow.

Forecast for Fri (Nov 22) to Sat (Nov 23):

Another storm will impact the Northwest with snow levels starting high but trending lower as a cold front moves through. The Sierra Nevada Range including Tahoe will see deep snow totals as the changeover to snow occurs, while the Cascades will see lighter snow totals behind the front.

Heavier snow will fall further north in BC and Alberta where colder air will remain in place throughout the week (snow levels stay lower). Higher elevations in Central Idaho will also see heavy snow, with rain for the lower portions of some resorts.

Across the East, snow and rain will continue with snow levels trending lower in New England on Saturday as colder air moves in. Higher terrain in New England will see deep snow totals in this pattern, while West Virginia will also see some impressive totals from upslope snow showers on the colder backside of the system.

Forecast for Sun (Nov 24) to Mon (Nov 25):

A strong storm taking a more southerly track will impact the Sierra including Tahoe with heavy snow expected. The Central Rockies, including Utah and Colorado, will also pick up moderate to heavy snow from this storm.

Other than some lingering flurries on Sunday morning, New England and the East will see a drying trend, though the Mid-Atlantic could see some rain arrive as early as Monday along with warmer temperatures.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Tue (Nov 26) to Sat (Nov 30):

Snow could linger over portions of the Sierra and Central Rockies on Tuesday, then a drying trend is expected at least for the Sierra as a ridge of high pressure builds just off the West Coast. A northwest flow pattern will set up over the Interior West with storms occasionally sneaking into the Northern Rockies while temperatures will also be colder than average.

Across the East, a warm-up is expected early in this period with a trend toward colder and more active weather (including snow chances) by the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (November 22).

Alan Smith

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