An active pattern is setting up across the West for the holiday season with heavy snow for the Northwest in particular. Utah & Colorado will see frequent shots of light to moderate snow, while California and Oregon resorts will see both rain and snow with warmer air creeping in. The East will see a quiet pattern with a gradual warming trend, then colder air will arrive after the New Year.

Fresh snow is on the slopes, which will be the last fresh snow of 2024. We are in a quiet stretch of weather for the next few days with a storm system bringing rain and warm air this weekend. There is model uncertainty regarding precipitation intensity this weekend. By next week around NYE, active and colder weather is expected to move into the Eastern US with accumulating snow.

Happy Christmas Eve! Santa is leaving the Sierra ahead of schedule. 5-10 inches fell over the Sierra Range on Tuesday. A potent storm is headed for the BC coast and will slam the PNW with several feet of snow, strong winds, and rising snow levels on Wednesday/Thursday. There are many red flags. The Rockies grab heavier snow from Friday to Sunday!