A slow‑moving storm set to sweep the western United States from Friday through Monday could deliver up to two feet of snow to Utah’s top resorts and the Sierra Nevada.
Key points
- A slow‑moving storm will bring 8‑24 inches of snow to the Sierra Nevada, Utah and Colorado between Oct. 30 and Nov. 2.
- Snow levels start high but are expected to drop after a cold front moves through on Sunday night, increasing snow coverage at higher elevations.
- The East remains in a warm, dry pattern with little to no snow expected during the same period.
According to a forecast posted by OpenSnow meteorologist Alan Smith, a strong storm will cross the Southwest and West Central U.S. from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, bringing significant rain and snow from the Sierra Nevada to the Rockies.
The system is expected to arrive in the Sierra and California on Saturday, Oct. 31, with the heaviest snowfall there, while light showers affect the Rockies on Friday. By Sunday, Nov. 1, the storm moves inland, and a cold front pushes through that night, lowering snow levels across the Rockies. The storm’s core exits the Rockies onto the plains on Monday, Nov. 2, with colder northwest flow extending snowfall into Colorado and parts of Wyoming.
Storm Track and Timing
OpenSnow projects total accumulations of 8‑16 inches across the Sierra, including the Lake Tahoe area, 12‑24 inches for favored ski resorts in Utah and southwest Colorado, and 4‑12 inches across central and northern Colorado. Snow levels start high on Friday and Saturday, but drop markedly from west to east as the cold front arrives later in the weekend.
The forecast notes that snow levels will be high enough for rain to reach mid‑mountain elevations early in the event, but will dip to lower altitudes after the front passes, increasing the likelihood of snow at ski areas that initially see rain. The eastern United States is expected to remain in a quiet, warm pattern with minimal snow potential.
Snowfall Totals by Region
Looking ahead, OpenSnow mentions a possible additional 1‑2 storms later in the week that could affect the Four Corners region and eastern Colorado, though confidence is low. The next forecast update is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2.
Reader questions
When is the heaviest snowfall expected in the Sierra Nevada?
The forecast indicates the heaviest snow will fall on Saturday, Oct. 31, when the main storm reaches California.
Which ski areas are likely to receive the most snow?
Favored resorts in Utah and southwest Colorado are projected to see 12‑24 inches of accumulation, according to OpenSnow.
When will the next official forecast be released?
OpenSnow plans to issue its next update on Monday, Nov. 2.
Source: opensnow.com
