Snow in the Forecast for the Rockies and California

US and Canada Daily Snow

By Alan Smith, Meteorologist Posted 2 hours ago January 22, 2025

Summary

Arctic air has overspread most of the country early this week with cold and dry conditions for many areas while the Great Lakes have seen lake effect snow. The Gulf Coast also saw record snowfall on Tuesday! A relatively weak storm will move into the West late this week and over the weekend with snow expected for parts of the Rockies, California, and Southwest.

Short Term Forecast

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Record-Setting Gulf Coast Snow Event:

The most remarkable event of the week occurred outside of ski country. A winter storm impacted the Deep South on Tuesday as arctic air overtook the region, resulting in heavy snowfall along the coast from Texas to the Florida Panhandle.

Many areas that rarely ever see snow shattered all-time records. As of Tuesday evening, preliminary reports included 8 inches in New Orleans, 10.5 inches in Lafayette, 8 inches in Mobile, and 8-9 inches in parts of Northwest Florida, the latter of which will likely result in a new state snowfall record for Florida.

Below is a map of preliminary snow reports as of Tuesday evening. This doesn't account for areas further east along the coastline of Georgia and the Carolinas where significant snowfall was also expected overnight.

While the U.S. and Canada Daily Snow focuses on mountainous areas and ski regions primarily, this was such a unique and historic event that we had to talk about it!

7-Day Snow Forecast:

Two weaker storms will slide into the Northern Rockies late this week with snow favoring Montana and Wyoming, mainly east of the Continental Divide.

The second storm will split as it moves southward heading into the weekend, and a cut-off low will slide into the Southwest, with snow developing across Southern/Central California, the Southwest, and Colorado. The deepest snow totals in this pattern will favor the Central and Eastern Rockies from Montana to Colorado.

The East will remain very cold overall with gradual moderation expected over time. Snow chances will continue to favor the Great Lakes, while a more organized storm is possible for New England and parts of the Mid-Atlantic early next week.

Forecast for Wed (Jan 22) to Thu (Jan 23):

A weak storm will slide down the east side of the Continental Divide in the Northern Rockies, resulting in light to moderate snow for parts of Montana and Wyoming. A strong storm will bring heavy snow to Alaska and Northwest BC.

In the East, the lake effect snow machine will continue across Michigan and Ontario.

Forecast for Fri (Jan 24) to Sat (Jan 25):

A cut-off will slowly work its way from northeast to southwest across the West, with snow developing across California and the Central Rockies. This will be a tricky storm with light to moderate totals expected across most of this region.

In the East, snow showers will continue to favor the Great Lakes, with light snow showers/flurries also possible in Northern New England and West Virginia.

Forecast for Sun (Jan 26) to Mon (Jan 27):

The cutoff low will continue to spin across the Southwest. There is low confidence in the movement and geographic coverage of snowfall, but the Southwest/Four Corners region looks most favored at this time. To the north, another strong storm will impact Alaska.

A more organized storm is expected to track across the Northeast this period. There is low confidence on the southern extent of the storm track, however, as some models are projecting snowfall further south into the Mid-Atlantic compared to what this particular model projects.

Extended Forecast

Outlook for Tue (Jan 28) to Sat (Feb 1):

Much of North America will begin to thaw out during this period with a transition to warmer temperatures, but colder air will linger for longer across the Northeast. Storms will also be possible across the East.

The Southwest will remain unsettled early in this period with snow possible over the Southern Rockies. By late in the period, high pressure may finally break down over the Northwest with increasing snow potential.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (January 24).

Alan Smith

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