US and Canada Daily Snow
By Alan Smith, Meteorologist Posted 11 days ago December 11, 2024
Storm Coming to the West this Weekend
Summary
The West will see some welcome snow late this week and into the weekend after a drier start to December. A weak storm will move through on Thursday followed by a stronger storm Friday-Sunday. The Sierra (including Tahoe), Cascades, BC, and Northern Rockies will be favored for the deepest snow totals. The East will see rain & some snow Wed-Thu & again early next week with a warmer airmass in place.
Short Term Forecast
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5-Day Snow Forecast:
A storm is brewing for the West! A weaker storm will move through first on Thursday, followed by a stronger storm Friday-Sunday that will bring heavy snow to many areas.
Snowfall over the next 5 days will range from 1.5 to 3 feet over the Sierra and BC Coast Range, 1 to 2 feet across the Cascades, and 6 to 18 inches over the Northern Rockies. Snowfall will be lighter in Colorado.
Forecast for Wed (Dec 11) to Thu (Dec 12):
A weak storm will move across the West on Thursday with moderate snow for the Northern Sierra and light snow for the Cascades. The storm will fall apart as it moves inland with flurries at best for the Rockies. To the north, a stronger storm will bring moderate snowfall to Alaska.
In the East, a warm storm will bring rain even to the higher terrain of New England on Wednesday. Rain will change to snow on the colder backside of the system across the Appalachians and New England on Wednesday PM-Thursday. Locally heavy lake effect snow will also develop in Michigan and Western New York.
Forecast for Fri (Dec 13) to Sat (Dec 14):
A strong storm will reach the West with heavy snow developing in the Sierra, Cascades, and British Columbia. Moderate to heavy snow will also fall across Idaho and Western Wyoming with light snow reaching Northern Utah.
The next storm for the East will reach the Great Lakes on Saturday afternoon and the Mid-Atlantic on Saturday night with a mix of rain and snow expected.
Forecast for Sun (Dec 15) to Mon (Dec 16):
Snow will fall across the Central Rockies on Sunday with light to moderate totals expected. Another storm will reach the West Coast on Monday but confidence is low in terms of the storm track and the potential strength of the storm.
Mixed precipitation will fall across the Mid-Atlantic on Sunday, with snow favoring the higher terrain of West Virginia and Pennsylvania though even these areas will see an eventual changeover to rain. Light rain showers could also reach New England.
Extended Forecast
Outlook for Tue (Dec 17) to Sat (Dec 21):
A ridge of high pressure will build over the West Central U.S. and warm air building under this ridge will overspread the entire West with above-normal temperatures (aside from valley inversions).
However, a trough will be located off the West Coast and frequent moisture-laden storms will reach the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia, and eventually California later in this period.
The downside is that the unseasonably warm air will favor high snow levels and possible rain issues at ski resorts across the West Coast region. Heavier snow is likely further north in Alaska where snow levels should be lower.
In the East, an active pattern is likely to continue with cooler temperatures supporting better snowfall potential.
Thanks so much for reading! Next update on Friday (December 13).
Alan Smith
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