Heavy Mountain Snow Expected Across Sierra and Rockies Through Early Next Week

Unsettled weather will bring rain to lower elevations and notable snowfall to the higher mountains of the West starting this weekend and continuing into early next week. The heaviest snow is expected across the Sierra Nevada into the Intermountain West and Four Corners region, where impactful accumulations are likely above about 8,000 to 9,000 feet.

The Sierra Nevada stands out as one of the areas most likely to see heavy snow. There is a high chance of at least a foot of snow at the higher elevations, and some spots could pick up as much as two feet. This snow will generally stay well above the lower mountain passes, though travel at the highest routes could still become hazardous.

Similar heavy snow is expected in the Uinta Mountains of Utah. Higher elevations there also carry a strong chance of a foot or more of snow, with locally higher amounts possible. The snow will feature denser packing that can create extra load on roofs and trees in those alpine areas.

In the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, impactful snow is also likely. There is a moderate chance of disruptions at the highest elevations, where a foot or more of snow could fall. Travel through the higher mountain passes may become locally difficult as the snow accumulates through the period.

The Sawtooth Range in Idaho is another area where heavy mountain snow is favored. Higher elevations here share the same strong chance of at least a foot of snow, with some locations possibly reaching two feet. Most of this will remain above the main travel corridors but could still affect high-elevation roads.

Across the broader Central Rockies, snow levels will start quite high, near 11,000 feet, before slowly lowering later in the period. Most accumulation will stay at the very highest elevations. While the snow will be impactful where it falls, lower mountain areas should see little to none.

At lower elevations across the West, the same system will bring rain rather than snow. Snow levels will remain high enough that valleys and most towns should stay free of accumulating snow. The heaviest precipitation overall will stay focused on the elevated terrain.

Outside the western mountains, little to no snow is expected through early next week. The chance of any significant ice across the rest of the country remains very low. Most areas east of the Rockies will see little effect from this particular system.