Forecast By SnowBrains Meteorologist – Eric McNamee

11:35 AM MST, Dec. 14, 2020

Brought to you by Alta Ski Area

 

Forecast Summary:

A series of storms will bring 1-4 FEET of snow over the western US this week, primarily in the Northwest.

A strong low will bring 1-2 FEET of snow to portions of the Northeast midweek.

An active pattern looks to continue in the Northwest through the extended forecast.

Short-Term Forecast:

Monday-Wednesday:

The first in a series of storms that started yesterday will bring an additional 1-3″ of snow to the Sierras in California today.

Some light amounts are expected in Utah and Colorado from this system as well, with 2-6″ of snow.

The second system will move in tomorrow, bringing 8-14″ of snow to portions of the Cascades.

This same system looks to drop 4-8″ of snow to parts of the Northern Rockies through Wednesday morning. 

The first system that is bringing snow to the west today will move off to the east and strengthen Wednesday.

Long-Term Forecast:

Thursday-Sunday:

The strengthening storm mentioned above will develop into a “blockbuster” snowstorm, bringing 1-2 FEET of snow to the Northeast.

Out West, another system will move in from the Pacific, Thursday.

At the moment this system looks like it could be pretty potent, dropping 1-2 FEET of snow across the West through Friday.

Another system looks to move into the Pacific Northwest this weekend as the pattern looks to remain active.

Extended Forecast:

Sunday and Beyond:

Global ensembles are indicting a La Niña pattern to remain in place, keeping it active in the Northwest.

Utah:

The first in a series of storms is bringing snow to the state today, dropping 2-6″ of snow for most locations.

A more potent storm will move in Thursday/Friday, possibly bringing over a foot of snow to the mountains.

Resorts that look to be favored are Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Park City, Canyons, Deer Valley, Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and Beaver Mountain. 

**Alta Forecast**

Light snowfall is expected through today with 2-6″ of snow falling on the mountain, with possibly more under moist unstable northwest flow.

A more potent storm looks to move through the area Thursday/Friday, possibly bringing over a foot of snow to the resort.

More exact amounts will be known as we get closer to the event.

California:

The Sierra’s will see an additional 1-3″ of snow through the day today as the first storm moves out of the region.

A more potent storm looks to move through the area on Thursday, with 12-18″ of snow falling in portions of the Sierra’s.

Resorts likely to get the most snow are Boreal, Kirkwood, Sugar Bowl, Squaw, Alpine, Northstar, Homewood, and Heavenly. 

Pacific Northwest:

The Pacific Northwest looks to fair pretty well with 1-4 FEET falling through the next seven days.

Light amounts are expected today before heavy snow moves into the region starting Wednesday.

Resorts that look to see the most snow are Mt. Bachelor, Mt. Hood, Timberline Lodge, Crystal Mountain, Alpental, and Mt Baker.

Northern Rockies:

The Northern Rockies will stay relatively active this week, with 4-8″ of snow falling through Wednesday.

More snow is expected heading into the latter half of the week as more potent storms bring over a foot of snow. 

Resorts that look to see the most snow are Jackson Hole, Targhee, Big Sky, Whitefish Mountain Resort, and Schweitzer.

Colorado:

Colorado will see similar amounts to Utah today as 2-6″ of snow is expected in mountain locations.

Getting into Thursday/Friday, a more potent system will move through the state, bringing 8-12″ to mountain locations.

An additional couple of inches is possible later in the week as well.

Resorts that look to see the most snow are Aspen, Steamboat, Wolf Creek, and Winter Park.

East Coast:

A dynamic and strong low will develop midweek across the Northeast, bringing 1-2 FEET of snow to the region.

This is due in part to cold air that will already be in place, allowing for snow to fall in a much broader area.

Resorts likely to see the most snow are Camelback, Blue Mountain, Mountain Creek, Mowhawk Mountain, and Ski Sundown. 

USA:

Global ensembles are indicting a La Niña pattern will continue through the extended period of the forecast.

This means above-average snowfall for the Northwest and below-average snowfall for the Southwest.