Winter Solstice! The moisture train is very long, chugging along slowly in the PNW and BC all week. It moves south to the Sierra by storm ski 9-14 inches by Tuesday. The Train moves east over the Rockies as it speeds up, dumping moderate snow on many areas. Extended is slightly cooler in the PNW, with many more rounds of snow that look a bit better for the Rockies by next weekend with colder air.

High pressure will lead to mild conditions over the West on Friday and Saturday, but the pattern will gradually trend cooler and more active early next week with snow chances ramping up. The East will see cold temperatures over the next 5 days with periods of light snow, followed by a warm-up after Christmas.