Hey friends, welcome back. We’ve got a lot to cover and a big storm incoming. Let’s jump into it.
According to OpenSnow, this weekend into early next week is shaping up to be a wild one across much of the country as Arctic air collides with deep moisture and a strengthening subtropical jet stream.
This is not a subtle pattern.
We’re talking about a large, high impact system that starts in the Southern Rockies, then moves east, spreading significant winter weather across the Central and Eastern U.S.
Let’s start with the feel good story.
The Southern Rockies are finally going to get meaningful snow.
After a choppy, frustrating start to winter for parts of southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, this storm develops right over that region. OpenSnow guidance shows these areas positioned for some of the bigger totals in this system.
This is the kind of storm that:
Refreshes terrain
Changes the feel of the mountain overnight
For skiers and riders in the Southern Rockies, this is exactly what winter ordered. It won’t be a season-changing storm, but we’ll take anything and everything at this point.
As the system moves east, it expands and strengthens.
According to OpenSnow:
Moderate to heavy snow extends north into Pennsylvania, New York, and New England
Snow impacts areas north of the Maryland Pennsylvania border and west of I-95
Parts of the Mid Atlantic are flirting with up to two feet of snow
New England generally looks to be in the 6 to 18 inch range
That’s real snow in the East. The kind that changes weekend plans and sets up great conditions for resorts.
Meanwhile, warmer air will push into the Southeast and parts of North Carolina and the southern Mid Atlantic. That means some areas see snow first, then a transition to sleet, freezing rain, or rain.
In short, it’s going to be a wild, wintry scene for almost everyone except Florida.
If you don’t like shoveling your driveway, be thankful you’re not dealing with the snow totals coming out of this area in Russia.
One of the wildest winter weather stories on the planet right now isn’t happening at a ski resort. It’s happening in Kamchatka, Russia.
Kamchatka has been hit with its heaviest snowfall in roughly 60 years.
In January alone, some areas have seen more than two meters of snow, over six feet, on top of 3.7 meters in December, which is more than twelve feet.
Streets, neighborhoods, and cars are completely buried. Snowbanks tower above buildings. People are digging tunnels just to get outside. Videos show residents casually walking across what looks like rolling snowfields where roads should be.
Scientists say this extreme snowfall is tied to a very wavy jet stream and a weaker Arctic polar vortex, allowing deep cold air to plunge south while moisture stays locked in place.
As if winter didn’t already have enough drama, the sky decided to join the party.
This week, the aurora borealis was visible across large portions of the lower 48.
A strong burst of energy from the sun stirred up Earth’s magnetic field just enough to push the northern lights far south of where they normally stay. You may have heard this described as a G3 or G4 geomagnetic storm. In plain English, that just means it was strong enough that you didn’t need to be in Alaska to see the lights.
Mountain towns had a big advantage.
This wasn’t the first time either. Earlier this fall, the Rockies lit up with aurora displays as the sun continues to ramp up toward the peak of its natural activity cycle.
Winter doesn’t just happen on the mountain sometimes it happens above it.
And speaking of winter magic, we’re officially two weeks out from the start of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll start weaving in more Olympic stories, athlete spotlights, and fun context to help everyone appreciate just how special these Games are.
From historic alpine venues to once in a generation athletes, it’s about to be a very fun stretch for winter sports fans.
This is one of those weeks where winter shows up everywhere.
Some good snow falling in the Southern Rockies.
A major storm for the East.
Historic snowfall halfway around the world.
Northern lights lighting up the ski country sky.
And the Olympics right around the corner.
If you’re heading out this weekend, check your local forecast on OpenSnow, travel smart, and enjoy the fact that winter is very much doing winter things.
See you out there.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.