SnoCast: Snow and Wind Target the Midwest, Northeast

New snow in the forecast for New York's Adirondacks, including at Whiteface Mountain (SkiWhiteface/Twitter)

A blizzard and localized upslope snow event will take shape in the East, while the Western peaks squeeze out more fresh snow. This week's SnoCast highlights where to find new snow on the slopes coast to coast.

East

A potent, high-wind producing storm will churn in the Midwest and Great Lakes later Thursday into Friday. With blizzard warnings and low visibility expected in parts of the Plains, several Midwest ski areas will manage 2-5” of new snow, with locally over 5” in southeast Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. While it may be brisk and blustery at times, we’ll likely be left with a decent Friday and weekend on the Midwest slopes as the center of this storm pulls away.

A slow moving winter storm will bring two days of wintry weather to the Midwest starting tonight. Up to 6 to 10" of snow is forecast across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Strong winds may lead to blizzard conditions, especially across the Dakotas. Light freezing rain is also possible. pic.twitter.com/FynEUDhCzP

— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 13, 2021

As this same energy moves east, a mixed bag of both rain and snow impact New York and New England. New York’s Adirondacks stay mainly snow early Saturday, grabbing a quick 3-7” of new, while New England sees an initial burst of snow, mixing with rain, especially at mountain bases and valleys. But, as this storm pulls away, a colder, west-northwesterly wind will support an upslope snow setup for the entire Appalachian chain, squeezing out a general 1-4” from West Virginia to New England. Look for locally higher totals in the favored west-northwest facing mountains in Vermont and New Hampshire as upslope conditions squeeze out more decent snow Saturday night (could be a really great 1^st chair Sunday.

West

Following a prolonged atmospheric river event in the Pacific Northwest, rain, snow, and wind hit many areas hard, causing wind delays and power outages. Thankfully, the weather calms a bit. 

A cold front Friday will bring limited snow, mainly to the highest and northern-most Washington Cascades, and British Columbia’s Coast Range, then falls apart with light snow peppering the northern US Rockies early Saturday. It doesn’t amount to much for most, but a couple of fresh inches at the highest peaks of Idaho, western Wyoming, and Colorado. Another more widespread mountain snow (not included in the snow forecast image below) develops in the Pacific Northwest and the northern Rockies late Sunday-Monday with a general 4-8” to play in. 

Stay on the trails, as the backcountry avalanche threat remains high on many steep western mountainsides. Check with avalanche.org for local conditions. 

Check back in every week for a new SnoCast through the ski season. Also, be sure to check out the latest snow report to see conditions and safety guidelines.