Bitter cold temperatures blast the Rockies this weekend, with moisture most prevalent on the eastern Divide. Higher moisture totals might land in Colorado near the Front Range by Saturday morning. The extended forecast looks optimistic for a pattern change possible by January 25th.

High-pressure remains overhead through Thursday, drying the skies along with a warming trend. A shortwave and accompanying Arctic cold front arrive via Canada on Friday, bringing periods of light snowfall across the Montana Rockies into Saturday morning. The coldest temps seen so far this winter settle into the Treasure State this weekend. Then, dry and cold into the middle of next week.

An upper-level ridge of high-pressure will continue to amplify on Tues before weakening on Weds as a Pacific trough and associated cold front begins to enter Western Canada. This storm unfortunately lacks moisture, so light amounts in the 5 – 10 are likely by Fri AM. As the front moves through, an arctic airmass descends, bringing the coldest temps we have seen so far this season for next weekend.

The pattern over the next 10+ days is looking quite dry across Southern BC as a ridge of high pressure will be prevalent across Western North America. The one exception this week will be on Thursday when light snow develops as an arctic front moves through. Frigid air will settle into place behind the front before moderating next week.

A series of weaker storms will track across the Great Lakes and Northeast this week, resulting in consistent snow showers that will add up to sneaky good totals over time from Michigan to Vermont. The West will enter a dry period overall, with light snow for the Rockies expected at the end of the week as an arctic cold front moves through.

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.