Big Picture Weather Pattern:

A persistent ridge of high pressure has taken hold over the Western U.S. since mid-September, which will allow hiking and biking season to extend well into October across the higher terrain this year. Temperatures will remain above average this week, though nights will be cold in the mountain valleys as the days are getting shorter at this time of year.

The jet stream will remain near and north of the border this week, resulting in periods of rain and snow across Alaska and BC, extending as far south as the North Cascades in Washington at times.

Across the East, a cooler airmass will take hold with occasional showers impacting New England and the Northern Mid-Atlantic.

Hurricane Milton is set to impact the west coast of Florida this week with significant impacts expected before tracking out to sea in the Atlantic. The Southern Appalachians, which were devastated by Hurricane Helene 10 days ago, will not see any impacts from this storm. 

Fall Color Forecast

In case you missed it, we released a Fall Colors Map this year. The map is updated twice per week and animates from historical color starting in early September through forecast color ending in late November. The map is available for the Lower 48 of the U.S. 

View → Fall Colors Map

Fall colors are currently near to past peak across the High Rockies and High Sierra, but there is still plenty of color left to enjoy in many areas and lower elevations will be hitting their peak over the next couple of weeks.

Fall Colors Forecast for October 9th - Western U.S.

Fall colors are also expected to peak this week across New England, New York, West Virginia, and over the Northern Great Lakes. Most areas of the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Appalachians, and Southern Great Lakes will see increasing color over the next couple of weeks. 

Fall Colors Forecast for October 9th - Eastern U.S.

Wildfire Smoke in the Western U.S.

The extended stretch of dry weather and above-average temperatures has resulted in a resurgence in wildfire activity across the Northern Rockies with large fires burning in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah.

Smoke from these fires will impact portions of the Western U.S. from time to time until there is a significant weather pattern change, so be sure to use our Smoke Forecast Maps and Air Quality Maps to find "clean air windows" to get outside and recreate.

High-Res Smoke (Surface) Forecast for Monday Afternoon:

Forecast for Mon (Oct 7) to Tue (Oct 8):

A storm will bring rain and snow to Western BC and Alaska early this week. Snow levels (the rain/snow line) will be high around Whistler, ranging from 6,000 to 8,000 feet, but will be lower across Northwest BC (4,000-5,000 feet) and Alaska (2,000 to 3,000 feet) where heavier accumulations are expected.

Showers will develop across the Northeast on Monday from New England/SE Canada to as far south as West Virginia. The highest peaks of the Whites could get dusted with snow.

Forecast for Wed (Oct 9) to Thu (Oct 10):

The storm track will shift southward a bit with heavy snow across Northwest/BC and Southeast Alaska, while the higher terrain of Southern BC and Alberta will also pick up some snow. We are projecting snow levels to dip to 5,000-6,000 feet at Whistler, Revelstoke, and Banff/Lake Louise on Wednesday night.

The Western U.S. will remain warm and dry overall, but a weak disturbance moving across the Central Rockies could bring some isolated light showers to the higher terrain of Colorado with perhaps some flurries over the higher peaks above 12,000 feet.

New England will also pick up more showers on Wednesday night and Thursday with snow levels lowering to 3,500 feet in the White and Green Mountains. The top of Mt. Washington could pick up a trace to a few inches of snow.

Forecast for Fri (Oct 11) to Sat (Oct 12):

The storm track will lift north again with a powerful storm projected to hit Alaska with heavy snow possible. The Northeast and New England will see more showers, but snow levels will rise above the summits of the highest peaks as milder air arrives.

Outlook for Sun (Oct 13) to Thu (Oct 17):

A similar pattern will remain in place next week with high pressure and above-average temperatures across the Western U.S. and cooler temperatures across the East. The jet stream will remain north of the Canadian border with storms bringing rain and snow to the coast ranges of BC and Alaska. 

While the extent of the warmth and dryness across the Western U.S. is uncommon for this time of year, the good news is that October snow has virtually no correlation with the ski season ahead. November is when we want to see a pattern change as this is when snowpack really begins to build for the season.

Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Wednesday (October 9).

Alan Smith