Western US Daily Snow
By Alan Smith, Meteorologist Posted 2 years ago September 8, 2021
Warm, dry, and smoky
Summary
High pressure is dominating the pattern across the Western U.S. so far this week, resulting in above-average temperatures and little in the way of rainfall. Late in the week and over the weekend, temperatures will cool off a bit as a series of disturbances move across the West with increasing shower and thunderstorm chances.
Short Term Forecast
Summer has made a comeback this week thanks to a strong ridge of high pressure in place. Some areas will approach or break daily record highs over the next couple of days.
High pressure will weaken by the end of the week, and while a significant fall cooldown is not in the cards, this pattern change will put an end to the unseasonable warmth at least. A couple of disturbances will also move across the West over the weekend, leading to more unsettled and showery weather.
Temperatures over the next 5 days will be well above average, even when factoring in the cooler air arriving this weekend. The exception will be coastal areas of Washington and Oregon west of the Cascade crest, where near to slightly below-average temperatures are expected.
Unfortunately, the warm and dry pattern is not helping when it comes to wildfires. In addition to the large fires in California, fire activity has also picked up in Idaho and Western Montana.
Smoke will continue to be an issue across a large portion of the West for the remainder of the week. If you're looking for clean air in the West, head to the Pacific Northwest Coast.
Check out the projected smoke maps for Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Yuck...
Heading into the weekend, smoke improvement is likely to some extent across the Northern Rockies as winds aloft shift to westerly, but California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado will likely remain smoky.
Forecast for Wednesday, September 8th
Most areas are looking dry on Wednesday, except for the Pacific Northwest where a storm system will bring some light showers to the Cascades and Olympics. Heavier rain with this system will be confined to areas north of the border in British Columbia.
Forecast for Thursday, September 9th
The first of two approaching late-week disturbances will result in some light shower activity developing across the Cascades and perhaps spreading into Idaho. Meanwhile, a little bit of monsoonal moisture will sneak into California from the Baja Peninsula with isolated thunderstorms expected across the Sierra. Only light rainfall is expected, and significant fire relief is not expected as a result.
Forecast for Friday, September 10th
More widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected from Eastern Oregon to Western Montana on Friday and Friday night, with lighter showers extending south into Wyoming and Utah. Wetting rains with this system should help out with the ongoing fires in Idaho and Montana.
Farther south, isolated showers and thunderstorms will be possible across the Sierra with only light rain expected.
Forecast for Saturday, September 11th
The heaviest and most widespread rain will shift to areas east of the Divide in Montana, with more scattered showers and thunderstorms expected across Wyoming, Utah, and Northern Colorado.
Forecast for Sunday, September 12th
A second disturbance will arrive late this weekend with another round of showers and thunderstorms possible across the Rockies. However, confidence is low regarding the details of this system and where the best chances of rain will occur.
Extended Forecast
Outlook for Mon, Sept 13th - Fri, Sept 17th
Next week is looking fairly quiet with no major weather systems expected. Temperatures will be near average across the Northwest and Northern Rockies and above-average across the Southwest and Southern/Central Rockies, though not as warm compared to this week.
A generally dry pattern is expected across the West during this period as well. This could be a great time for hiking and peak-bagging in some areas depending on how the smoke situation shakes out.
Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (9/10).
ALAN SMITH
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About Our Forecaster
Alan Smith
Meteorologist
Alan Smith received a B.S. in Meteorology from Metropolitan State University of Denver and has been working in the private sector since 2013. When he’s not watching the weather from the office, Alan loves to spend time outdoors skiing, hiking, and mountain biking, and of course keeping an eye on the sky for weather changes while recreating.
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