According to meteorologist Chris Tomer, a massive dome of high pressure is firmly in control of the western United States through at least March 25, and the snow forecast for most American ski resorts over the next several days is essentially zero.
Water vapor imagery confirms the scale of the pattern. The high pressure system is producing pressure anomalies running three to four sigma above the 30-year norm, a signal Tomer described as significant. With the storm track forced well to the north, base area temperatures at Utah, Colorado, and California resorts are expected to climb to 60 degrees or warmer. At Alta, temperatures already reached 55 degrees at mid-mountain elevations on Tuesday, with readings near 60 degrees expected Wednesday and potentially warmer than that on Thursday.
The 15-day snow forecast for California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico is effectively flat. Wyoming and Montana may see light accumulations over the highest peaks, but nothing meaningful at ski area bases. The Northeast is similarly quiet, with most major resorts projected to receive under six inches through March 26.
The clear beneficiaries of this pattern are the Canadian Rockies. With the storm track pushed north, Whistler Blackcomb, Kicking Horse, Revelstoke, and the Marmot Basin and Sunshine Village areas near Banff are all positioned to receive the most significant snowfall totals of the period. Revelstoke leads Tomer’s 15-day projections at roughly 15 inches. Interior British Columbia also holds multiple chances at moderate to heavy precipitation, though rain-snow line concerns will require skiers to target mid-mountain elevations and higher for the best snow quality.
For American resorts, the next window of opportunity does not open until on or after March 29, when model data suggests lower-than-normal pressure may begin nudging into the West Coast. That scenario remains uncertain. The high pressure system carries considerable inertia, and Tomer cautioned that any pattern shift faces a difficult battle. For now, the powder window belongs to Canada.
