Weekly North America Forecast – Shot of Powder for Canada and the Rockies as Arctic Airmass Heads South
Written Wednesday afternoon, 15th January (Pacific Standard Time)
Canada and the Rockies will receive a shot of powder over the next few days as a cold front pushes down from the north. Resorts east of the Continental Divide will be favoured for the largest accumulations, and many will experience their coldest temperatures of the season as an Arctic airmass breaks out of the far north.
The Arctic airmass will bring icy, clear skies to most before moving out east early next week, with temperatures then normalising, and some resorts in B.C. and eastern Rockies will pick up a round of light snowfall.
Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th January
Thursday will see a cold front gradually push down Canada into northern Idaho and Montana by the end of the day. The front will initially bring moderate to heavy snowfall to resorts in the north of Canada during predawn hours before backing off to lighter falls as it moves south, with most resorts in this area, including Whistler, picking up a shot of 5cm or less.
The cold front will continue to push south down the Rockies on Friday, before finally reaching New Mexico on Saturday. Temperatures will plummet behind the front as an Arctic airmass is released from the north, with many areas experiencing the season’s coldest temperatures this weekend.
Most resorts throughout the Rockies will receive light snowfall, which will dry up in the north on Saturday. However, it’ll continue to snow in Wyoming and Colorado through Sunday, with resorts east of the Continental Divide favoured to pick up substantial accumulations of 15-30+ cms.
Meanwhile, the long dry spell will continue in the Sierras with clear, sunny skies and milder temperatures.
Monday 20th to Wednesday 22nd January
Snowfall over Colorado and New Mexico will eventually dry up during Monday and Monday night as the core of the Arctic airmass drifts over the Southern Rockies before moving out east. The rest of western North America will bask under clear, cold skies, with the cold airmass also clipping the Sierras.
Things will remain relatively quiet during Tuesday and Wednesday as temperatures start to normalise. Weak fronts will bring a light dusting of snow to some B.C. resorts on Tuesday, although this may not touch those in the south of the region, and to the U.S. Rockies from late Tuesday into Wednesday with areas east of the Continental Divide once again favoured.
That’s all from me today, folks. Have a great week, and I’ll see you back here next Thursday for another weekly rundown of North America’s highlights and snowlights.
Grasshopper
