Category: Meteorology

Update: Big snow totals and colder air 1/5-1/12

Tomer’s Take: A major pattern shift hits the West 1/5-1/12. It’s comprised of a 2-3 storm cycle with colder temps and heavy snow accumulation. Before it arrives, a southern track storm system departs CA and slides through UT/AZ/NM/CO 1/3-1/5 with light to moderate snow accumulation. In addition, a vanguard area of light snow races through […]

Big snow totals and colder air 1/5-1/11

Tomer’s Take: A major Western pattern shift delivers colder air and big snow totals 1/5-1/11. It’s comprised of vanguard snow 1/5 then two storm systems. #1 occurs 1/6-1/8 followed by #2 on 1/9-1/11. Before all that happens, a storm system hits the Sierra late 1/2-1/3 then takes a southern track through AZ/UT/CO/NM 1/3-1/4. In the […]

Pattern first week of 2024; Snow & cold for UT/WY/CO/ID/MT 1/6-1/10

Tomer’s Take: The start of 2024 is mild but a large Western pattern shift is lurking 1/6-1/10. The Polar Jet buckles to the south from Canada and delivers colder air along with widespread snow for UT/WY/ID/CO/MT. California also has a few chances for snow in the Sierra. In the Northeast, we’ll have to watch the […]

Western pattern shift 1/6-1/9 with snow & colder air

Tomer’s Take: Confidence is increasing for a significant Western pattern shift after 1/5. The key snow/cold window for UT/WY/ID/MT/CO is 1/6-1/9 with a two storm combo. The Northeast might benefit from this Western pattern shift. For now, I’ll assume a perfect (best/worst case) setup and trim forecast in coming days. My afternoon forecast video update: […]

Western pattern shift after 1/5

Tomer’s Take: The warm & dry stretch for UT/WY/MT/ID/CO finally comes to an end after 1/5. The Polar Jet dives south from Canada with colder air and a storm system 1/6-1/8 with more widespread snow accumulation. Until then, we’re in what meteorologist Cory Gates calls ‘Closed Low Syndrome’. My afternoon forecast video update: Current Setup […]

New Year’s Prescription

Tomer’s Take: Four different areas of low pressure are lined up for the West Coast and primarily California through 1/7. It’s a mild flow with heavy snow accumulation only at higher elevations. Very little moisture survives the trip into UT/ID/MT/WY/CO through 1/5. The pattern starts to shift after 1/5 with colder air rotating south from […]

Storm track into 2024; Stratospheric Warming

Tomer’s Take: A challenging dry stretch ahead for the Intermountain Rockies including UT/WY/MT/ID/CO through 1/5. After 1/5 a pattern change is possible. Before 1/5 the storm track favors the West Coast including British Columbia/WA/OR/CA. My afternoon forecast video update: Current Setup Water vapor satellite shows an active Pacific storm track with West Coast/BC trajectory. Orange/red […]

Snow forecast next 9 days

Tomer’s Take: This is a challenging period with mostly dry conditions across the Intermountain West and rain (again) in the Northeast. The main storm track impacts BC/WA/OR/CA, but very little of this moisture survives the trip into the Interior Rockies. My forecast video: Current Setup Water vapor satellite shows an active Pacific storm track aiming […]

Christmas Eve Mountain Weather Update

Tomer’s Take: Snow will come to an end in Colorado tonight then light wraparound snow on 12/26 returns mainly east of the Divide. PNW/BC gets snow 12/25-12/28 above 5k-6k. Tahoe gets light snow late 12/27, and moderate snow accumulation 12/29-12/30. Still watching the possibility of a New Year’s Eve storm system for the Interior Rockies. […]

Pattern through New Year’s Day

Tomer’s Take: Two areas of low pressure deliver snow to UT/WY/CO 12/23-12/24. A major storm system hits the PNW/BC with heavy snow 12/25-12/26, and the Sierra might get heavy snow 12/29-12/30. A storm system crosses the Intermountain West on/about 12/30-12/31 with light to moderate snow accumulation. My forecast video: 5″ in 24hrs at Alta, UT […]