Weather
This forecast was created at 7:30 a.m. PST on Saturday, February 15
A powerful winter system arrives tonight with widespread snow before warmer air briefly intrudes on Sunday, then another surge of colder air and strong winds returns early next week. Overall, significant snowfall will be followed by a messy wintry mix in some areas, with mountain locales likely to see predominantly snow. Colder temperatures and gusty winds come roaring back by Sunday night into Monday, bringing lingering snow showers to the mountains and setting up a chilly start to the week.
Snow will begin late this afternoon and evening across western areas, gradually spreading east overnight. Most spots will see steady, moderate snowfall into the overnight hours, with higher mountain elevations set to pick up notable totals by dawn. Into Sunday morning, a surge of milder air aloft will foster a gradual shift to sleet or freezing rain for lower elevations, mainly in southern and eastern zones, while the mountains see continued snow or a brief window of sleet. Amounts will be higher where the precipitation remains all snow.
On Sunday afternoon, mild air at lower levels may allow any mixed precipitation to turn briefly to rain in southern valleys, while hilltops and mountains retain colder temperatures. This transitional window should be short-lived; a potent cold front sweeps through by late day, changing all precipitation back to snow showers or flurries. Very strong winds will begin ramping up Sunday evening, initially targeting higher terrain but soon spilling into lower elevations overnight. Blizzard-like conditions are not expected in most locations, but the gusty winds and fresh snow will make for a raw and wintry close to the weekend in the mountains.
Colder air remains entrenched Monday into Tuesday, with occasional upslope snow showers persisting across the northern mountains. Temperatures will hover well below freezing, and brisk west to northwest winds will continue, especially on Monday. In the longer range, guidance suggests the Eastern U.S. remains on the colder side of normal through much of the upcoming week. Another storm system may take shape toward the tail end of the period, although its exact track and impacts remain uncertain.
Resort Forecast Totals through Tuesday
- Wildcat – 15-24 inches Sat night (02/15) – Mon night (02/17)
- Jay Peak – 15-23 inches Sat night (02/15) – Tue (02/18)
- Bretton Woods – 14-22 inches Sat night (02/15) – Tue (02/18)
- Killington – 13-21 inches Sat night (02/15) – Mon (02/17)
- Sunday River – 12-18 inches Sat night (02/15) – Mon (02/17)
- Sugarbush – 12-18 inches Sat night (02/15) – Mon (02/17)
- Stowe – 11-17 inches Sat night (02/15) – Mon night (02/17)
- Sugarloaf – 11-17 inches Sat night (02/15) – Mon (02/17)
- Loon Mountain – 9-15 inches Sat night (02/15) – Mon (02/17)
- Cannon Mountain – 8-13 inches Sat night (02/15) – Mon (02/17)
