A storm will bring significant snowfall to areas above 2,500 feet in Alaska over the weekend. Early next week, the Coast Range, Cascade Range, and Northern Sierra will see rain develop as the storm track dips southward. During the second half of next week, a cold front will sweep across the Western U.S. with snow possible. The East will also see a chilly pattern with high-elevation snow potential.

Even though seasonal forecasts are rarely accurate, we like to look at the current atmospheric and ocean patterns and compare those to past seasons. The forecast below covers up to six months out, but we know that skiing quality improves and degrades with storm cycles that last a few days to a week.

Foliage is popping in the Rockies! Colors are changing very quickly. The OpenSnow new "Fall Colors" map and our official chase forecaster "Powderchaser Steve" hits the road to verify the best places to see brilliant colors. In some cases this chase could last several weeks.

Thanks for reading this summer! For the rest of this week, a cold front moving across the Central Rockies will bring showers & t-storms to WY, CO, & NM Wed-Thu while the West Coast states will see a late-season heat wave. Next week, isolated to scattered showers & t-storms develop across the West with continued mild temps. Heading into mid-month, the PNW will trend wetter and cooler.

Thank you for another great season with me! It was honestly an excellent winter that started slow and finished very strong and we broke a few records along the way. Can't wait to be back in the saddle forecasting next season!

Friday will be mostly seasonal with Spring conditions. The tide turns by Saturday with breezy conditions and clouds rolling in as a quick final storm might impact our region with an outside chance of snowfall for Mt. Baldy. Next week Spring reigns supreme!