SnoCountry SnoCast: Turning The Calendar, We Find The Snow

Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico plans to open December 8 and could get fresh snow just in time. (Angel Fire)

As December begins, some may have wondered, ‘Where is the snow?’ Well, there is some good news ahead for some fresh powder this week.

Western U.S. & Canada

We begin, once again, across the West where it’s busiest. Persistent flow from the Pacific will give areas north of Oregon nearly-consistent precipitation through the weekend. Snow will fall mainly above 3,000 feet elevation. By Friday an additional 4-8” will be measured. Saturday and Sunday a heavier batch of snow will fall across these same areas, adding another 6-12”. The Thursday-Sunday grand total will be 10-20” including Whistler and Hudson Bay. Snow will stop and sunshine will return Monday-Wednesday.

Parts of the Four Corners, especially Colorado, have a shot at snow Sunday to Monday. Decent amounts are possible for Wolf Creek and Monarch. Snowfall may top 6" if weather patterns align.

Midwest, Eastern U.S. & Canada

Dry, cool weather will dominate the Northeast through the weekend. The best opportunities for any new snow will be across the northern New England and Adirondack regions. A weak cold front Thursday night will bring several inches of snow across New York, New England, and southern Quebec. Isolated amounts up to 4-8" over the White Mountains and northern Green Mountains will be possible.

It will be a nice weekend as snow showers add another inch or two for Smugglers' Notch and Tremblant. However, it will be breezy so keep an eye to see if any ski lifts are impacted. A strong cold front is likely Tuesday and Wednesday where rain will be likely ahead of the front, then a strong cold blast to end the week with lake effect snow showers. Stay tuned for that part of the forecast.

Lyndon State College students Philomon Geertson and Liam Kelleher helped contribute to this article.