US and Canada Daily Snow
By Alan Smith, Meteorologist Posted 1 day ago January 29, 2025
Deep Pattern Ahead for the Northwest, Warm Air Concerns to the South
Summary
A more active pattern is set to take hold across the West as we head into early February. The Northwest and Northern Rockies will be favored for deep snow totals in this pattern, while mild temperatures, wind, and rain will impact Tahoe and even Utah. In the East, multiple storms will track across New England with significant snow totals adding up in some areas.
Short Term Forecast
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7-Day Snow Forecast:
In the West, the Cascades, Western Canada, and Northern U.S. Rockies are in line for several days of significant snowfall as a prolonged storm cycle begins on Thursday-Friday. Early in this period, snow will also fall across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico.
Over the weekend, an atmospheric river will take aim at Tahoe, Utah, Southern Idaho, and Western Wyoming.
These areas will see heavy high-elevation snow and strong winds, but the arrival of subtropical air will result in rising snow levels and rain for lower-elevation terrain – most notably in Tahoe, but even inland from Utah to Wyoming.
In the East, a significant warm-up will occur over the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, while colder air will hold over the Great Lakes and New England with several storms tracking across the area.
Upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Southern Quebec are in line for the deepest snow totals in this pattern.
Forecast for Wed (Jan 29) to Thu (Jan 30):
A cut-off low will slowly move across the Southwest with snow favoring Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Over the Northwest, a storm will reach Southern BC on Western Washington on Thursday-Thursday night, signaling the start of an active pattern.
In the East, a storm will bring snow to Upstate New York and New England on Wednesday, with perhaps a few flurries for Northern New England on Thursday.
Forecast for Fri (Jan 31) to Sat (Feb 1):
The Northwest and Northern Rockies will see a prolonged heavy snow event, while warm air in place over California will lead to a rain/snow mix for Tahoe with high snow levels.
A storm will move across the East on Friday with snowfall favoring the Catskills and Southern New England Resorts. This will be a warmer storm with rain favored from Massachusetts southward through the Mid-Atlantic.
On Saturday, a storm will bring snow to the Northern Great Lakes.
Forecast for Sun (Feb 2) to Mon (Feb 3):
A storm will remain over the Northwest with subtropical air pushing in from the south/southwest. This will lead to rising snow levels and rain issues for Tahoe. Even the Wasatch (UT), Tetons (WY), and possibly the Sawtooths (ID) could see a transition to rain across lower-elevation terrain.
There will be a sharp temperature gradient with colder air to the north, and areas from Oregon to Central Idaho to Western Montana will be favored for heavy snow, with lighter snow (but colder air) to the north in Washington and BC.
Yet another storm will track across the Great Lakes and Northeast, with Upstate New York, Northern New England, and Southern Quebec looking most favored at this time.
Extended Forecast
Outlook for Tue (Feb 4) to Sat (Feb 8):
An active pattern will remain over the West with additional storms likely. A relatively sharp temperature gradient is projected to remain with colder air over the Northwest/Northern Rockies and warmer air over the Southwest/Southern Rockies. However, the cold air should push a bit further south compared to February 1st-3rd.
In the East, an active storm track is expected to continue but warmer air will also push further north into New England. So while more snow is certainly a possibility, rain or sleet/freezing rain could also mix in at times.
Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (January 31).
Alan Smith
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