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.

After a few inches of "lake-effect leftovers" in Vermont, colder weather and high pressure will settle in for Friday and Saturday. Temperatures will moderate into early next week with some light rain likely on Tuesday. The weather turns active (and snowier) as we head into the third week of December.

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.