Weather
In its latest video, Direct Weather discusses the cold fronts and precipitation expected to impact the CONUS in October and where that means snow is forecast.
Tl;dr: A significant cold front is expected to bring colder air, and the potential for early snow to the eastern U.S. in mid-October is forecast, particularly in the Appalachian region. At the same time, the Pacific Northwest may also see some snow accumulation.
- Related: [UPDATED] Direct Weather Snowfall Forecast – Many Regions Across the US Can Expect Above-Average Snowfall
- Related: [UPDATED: SEPTEMBER] NOAA Winter 2024-25 Early Forecast: La Niña Returns and What That Means For the Ski Season
Pacific Northwest
- A few inches of snow is possible for higher elevations in the Cascades.
- More frequent storm systems moving through the region.
- Precipitation is likely to fall as rain at lower elevations.
Rocky Mountains
- The outlook for the Rockies in early October is less promising.
- Models show only a dusting to perhaps an inch of snow.
- Snowfall appears limited to the highest peaks.
Northeastern U.S. and Appalachians
- An intriguing developing pattern could bring unusually cold air and snow to the region.
- Multiple strong cold fronts are forecast to move through the area.
- One model suggests the possibility of snow for the Appalachian mountain range around October 14-15.
- Temperatures could drop 15-25 degrees below normal in parts of the Northeast.
Caution: The video emphasizes that October snow in the Appalachians would be “absolutely insane” and “extremely rare,” so this should be taken with a large grain of salt.
Overall Outlook
While significant October snowfall remains unlikely for most ski areas, the weather pattern appears to be trending colder than normal for the eastern third of the U.S. as we move into mid-October. If the cold air materializes as forecast, this could set the stage for an early start to snowmaking operations at some resorts.
