Extreme winds and heavy snow are beginning to fall over the Sierra on Saturday morning. Strong winds and significant snow are also falling in the Cascades and western BC. While deep totals will be found initially on Saturday, strong winds continue. Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah grab decent leftovers Miday Saturday to Sunday. 12-18 inches are likely in many areas. Chase wisely due to the wind.

Increasing cloud cover on Friday ahead of a Pacific storm system that now looks to just barely brush the Alberta Rockies this weekend. Trace accumulations up to 5 cm are slightly possible each day at Sunshine, Louise, and Castle. Another weak pulse of moisture next Wednesday returns chances of light accumulations. Colder on Mon and Tues, SW flow on Weds brings the snow, along with warmer temps.

A storm remains on track for the West from Friday to Sunday with the deepest snow totals favoring the Sierra, Cascades, BC Coast Range, and Northern Rockies. A weaker storm will move across the West early next week, followed by a warming/drying trend through Christmas. The East will see a mild pattern with more rain than snow through early next week, followed by a colder pattern late next week.