The Pacific is churning out some moisture | Image (+Cover): NOAA

“A storm system moving towards the Pacific Northwest will bring widespread rain and mountain snows to much of the Northwest beginning on Tuesday and lasting into the New Year. Heavy snowfall, in excess of a foot, is possible in the highest terrain of the Washington Cascades, and the Northern Rockies.” – National Weather Service

The time for New Year’s Resolutions is nigh and after looking at this week’s weather forecast, it’s clear Mother Nature is trying to tell us something (ski more powder in 2020).

As of Monday morning, there’s a lot of snow on the horizon. A strong low pressure system out of the northern Pacific is currently making landfall and with it, delivering copious amounts of snow (mountains) and rain (valleys) to British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. The Cascades and Coastal Mountains above 6,000′ should see anywhere between 12-34″ of new snow by Wednesday morning.

RELATED: SNOW STORM DEALS | FIND SNOW, SAVE MONEY

Further west, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming will get in on the action during the early morning hours on Tuesday (colder temperatures) and anywhere between 5-16″ forecasted. From Big Sky to Jackson Hole, the Northern Rockies will have a powder day on New Year’s morning so don’t party too hard.

Forecast radar for New Year’s day | Image; NOAA

On NYE night, portions of Northern and Central Colorado will begin seeing snowfall that should last through Saturday.  Don’t expect the snow to get deep until Thursday morning at the earliest.

New Year’s Forecasted Snowfall Totals [CANADA]:

New Year’s Forecasted Snowfall Totals [USA]:

Stevens Pass Forecast:

Jackson Hole Forecast:

Steamboat Springs Forecast:

Winter Storm Watch [Montana]

WHAT… Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 12 inches above 7000 feet, with 2 to 6 inches at lower elevations possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph through mountain passes.

* WHERE…Beaverhead, Madison and Gallatin.

* WHEN…From Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Gusty winds, especially through Monida Pass, could cause sharply reduced visibility in periods of blowing snow.

Winter Storm Watch [Wyoming]

WHAT… Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 8 to 16 inches possible. Gusty winds at higher elevations could produce blowing snow.

* WHERE…Portions of northwest and west central Wyoming.

* WHEN…From Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening.

* IMPACTS…Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions will impact travel on New Year`s Day.

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