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Pattern Update: Extreme Cold Settles in This Week, Meager Outlook For Snow

This week’s pattern features generally quiet weather dominated by high pressure, interrupted by a few minor waves that bring light mountain snowfall and a significant cold surge to parts of the Rockies heading into the weekend. Expect mostly modest snow totals overall, with temperatures cooling dramatically across the Northern Rockies and Colorado by late Friday and Saturday.

This post is sponsored by Alaska Backcountry Guides, which offers fantastic heli skiing out of Valdez. This area just picked up multiple feet of powder in the past five days. Alaska Backcountry is our preferred Alaska partner and has limited seats. Mention powderchasers when booking and receive a free concierge package from us, which will be good through next season. More snow is on the way for Alaska. 

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Previous Five Days

The previous five days have brought some incredible totals around the US. Here are some of the top reported totals from the past five days:

  • Showdown, MT: 55 inches
  • Alyeska, AK: 44 inches (upper elevations)
  • Big Sky, MT: 14 inches
  • Snowshoe, WV: 27 inches
  • Alta/Snowbird, UT: 24 inches
  • Steamboat, CO: 23 inches
  • Grand Targhee, WY: 20 inches
  • Ski Apache, NM: 16 inches
  • Jackson Hole, WY: 17 inches
  • Brighton, UT: 16 inches

Pacific Northwest

A weak system late Wednesday night into Thursday will offer minimal snowfall for most areas. Lingering high pressure holds across the region for the next couple of days, keeping clouds, patchy morning fog, and dry conditions in place. Temperatures remain near or slightly below normal in mountain areas, with freezing levels generally low but not enough moisture to spark meaningful snowfall early in the week.

By Thursday, a shallow wave descends through Washington’s Cascades bringing light mountain snow. Most accumulations stay modest, focusing on the northern and central Cascades. Snow levels generally hover near pass elevations but remain on the low side, so expect all-snow precipitation in higher terrain. Winds are not particularly strong, so the skiing impact should be minimal, aside from new dust on crust in places.

The weekend then trends cooler and drier behind this weak system. While temperatures drop, skies look fairly quiet with high-pressure rebuilding. Fresh snow coverage will be light and mostly from the Thursday wave. Looking farther out, medium-range guidance shows continued below-normal temperatures but little additional precipitation through early next week.

Resort Forecast Totals

  • Mt Baker0–2” Thu Day (01/16)
  • Stevens Pass0–1” Thu Day (01/16)
  • Whistler0–1” Thu Day (01/16)

Northern Rockies

A broad ridge holds over the region through midweek, promoting dryness and seasonably cool valley temperatures. Despite passing mid-level clouds, expect minimal precipitation through Wednesday. A few lingering low stratus or fog patches are possible in valley floors where cold air is trapped.

A weak cold front arrives on Thursday, bringing gusty winds in exposed areas and light snow to the higher peaks. While snowfall accumulations should remain minor, mountain conditions will briefly become blustery. Snow levels stay near valley floors, but limited moisture means only a dusting or a couple of inches at most. Rapid cooling follows into Friday.

Another surge of cold air settles in late Friday into the weekend, with a higher chance of snowfall in some spots. This arctic-like air mass drops temperatures sharply from Saturday into Sunday. Although snow amounts look modest, areas like southwestern Montana and northwestern Wyoming may see enough to refresh the slopes. Watch for very cold mornings, especially Sunday. Check out this impressive cold airmass settling in:

Long-range outlook shows continued below- normal temperatures into early next week with only sporadic light snow signals. The pattern remains favorable for persistent cold, so keep an eye on forecast updates for any additional minor surges.

Resort Forecast Totals

  • Bridger Bowl2–6” total (2–5” Fri Day (01/17)–Fri Night (01/17) + 0–1” Sat Night (01/18))
  • Big Sky1–4” Fri Day (01/17)–Fri Night (01/17)
  • Grand Targhee1–3” Fri Day (01/17)–Fri Night (01/17)
  • Jackson Hole1–2” Fri Day (01/17)–Fri Night (01/17)

Utah

A relatively dry pattern prevails into midweek as strong high pressure keeps moisture suppressed. Valley inversions persist, especially on Wednesday and Thursday mornings, with mild sunshine at higher elevations but chilled air in some valleys and canyon floors. Winds remain light.

The pattern changes Friday night through Saturday as a wave drops south and delivers light to moderate snow in the northern and central Wasatch. Expect cooler temperatures and lowering snow levels, with all-snow from base to summit at most resorts. Winds may briefly increase with frontal passage, but widespread strong gusts are not anticipated.

This system likely tapers off by late Saturday into Sunday, leaving a shallow fresh layer behind. Totals appear modest overall but enough to soften surfaces. The rest of the weekend looks fairly cold and mainly dry. Long-range signals hint at continued below-normal temperatures into early next week, with no substantial storms currently on the horizon.

Resort Forecast Totals

  • Solitude/Brighton1–4” Fri Night (01/17)–Sat Night (01/18)
  • Alta/Snowbird1–3” Fri Night (01/17)–Sat Night (01/18)
  • Park City/Deer Valley1–3” Fri Night (01/17)–Sat Night (01/18)
  • Powder Mountain0–2” total (0–1” Fri Night (01/17) + 0–1” Sat Night (01/18))
  • Eagle Point0–1” Sat Night (01/18)

Colorado

Quiet and gradually warming conditions build in through midweek before a sharp change late Friday into Saturday. Expect mostly sunny skies and light winds through Thursday, with some valleys staying cooler under inversions. Higher slopes should see comfortable midday temperatures.

An arctic front drops in from the north by Friday evening, bringing many resorts a strong burst of snow and much colder conditions. Current guidance points toward moderate snowfall across the central and northern mountains Friday night into Saturday, with best coverage in areas favored by northerly or upslope flow. Snow levels plummet to the valleys, ensuring all-snow conditions in every resort.

It is likely that the Front Range foothills near Boulder grab 5-10 inches (Eldora could be favored). While upslope northerly winds favor the Front Range, NW winds west of the Divide will also keep all mountain ranges along I-70 within light to moderate ranges. Even Telluride or Aspen can sneak up some moderate totals in this pattern. 

Saturday night into Sunday sees continued cold, with lingering light snow in places and dangerously low wind chills possible. Though the heaviest snow looks to wind down by Sunday morning, accumulations remain on the table through additional minor waves. Monitor Sunday/Monday morning lows, which may fall below zero in mountain valleys. Highs likely hold in the single digits or teens.

Confidence is high in the cold air lasting into early next week, though additional significant snowfall remains uncertain. In the meantime, plan for a notable temperature drop, fresh snow coverage, and potentially subzero mornings.

Resort Forecast Totals 

  • Vail/Beaver Creek3–7” Sat Day (01/18)–Sun Night (01/19)
  • Winter Park3–7” total (3–6” Fri Night (01/17)–Sat Night (01/18) + 0–1” Sun Night (01/19))
  • Steamboat3–6” Fri Night (01/17)–Sat Night (01/18)
  • Loveland/Arapahoe Basin3–6” Fri Night (01/17)–Sun Night (01/19)
  • Snowmass3–6” Sat Day (01/18)–Sun Night (01/19)
  • Copper Mountain/Breckenridge2–5” Sat Day (01/18)–Sun Night (01/19)
  • Crested Butte2–5” Sat Day (01/18)–Sun Night (01/19)
  • Monarch2–5” Sat Day (01/18)–Sun Night (01/19)
  • Telluride2–4” total (0–2” Sat Day (01/18) + 0–1” Sun Day (01/19))
  • Eldora-4-9 inches
  • Front Range Foothill near Boulder- 5-11 inches 

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