As a blocking high-pressure ridge over the west coast forces moisture north and south, cold air will slip into the Rockies this weekend. Moisture will focus on the eastern Rockies but will still provide light snowfall west of the Divide. A pattern change towards the end of January could bring some decent snow totals back to the west. You could score double digits this weekend near the Front Range

An arctic cold front will move from north to south into the Western U.S. on Friday and Saturday before spreading into the Eastern U.S. early next week, resulting in some of the coldest air of the season so far in many areas. Storms will continue to favor the East from late this week through early next week, while the Rockies will see a shot of snow Thursday-Saturday as the front arrives.

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.

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.