Halley O’Brien here, and welcome to The Snow Report.
I’ve loved reading your messages this week. The notes, the questions, the trip plans, and yes - the beer recommendations. Keep them coming. We’ll continue to work more of those into the show as the season rolls on.
East Coast: Cold, Snowy, and Building Bases
It’s been cold and snowy across the East, and the pattern holds steady over the next five days. While we’re not looking at a blockbuster storm cycle, this stretch of weather has been extremely productive, especially behind the scenes.
Snowmaking conditions have been, for lack of a better term, elite.
Cold air is important, but what really matters is the wet bulb temperature - a measure that combines air temperature and humidity. When temperatures are cold and the air is dry, snow guns can run efficiently and produce higher-quality snow. Cold temperatures with higher humidity still work, but output drops noticeably.
This recent pattern has allowed resorts to:
* Expand terrain quickly
* Improve coverage and durability
* Lock in a solid base ahead of any future warm-ups
If conditions feel better than expected lately, there’s a good reason.
Midwest: Lake Effect Lining Up
The Midwest is shaping up for a very solid weekend.
Snow showers and lake-effect snow are expected to develop Friday and persist through Sunday. Resorts favored by northwest flow and lake enhancement should see 4–8 inches, with localized upside into double digits where bands set up just right.
That sets the table for:
* Fresh turns Friday through Sunday
* Cold temperatures preserving snow quality
* A weekend that may outperform expectations
If you’ve been waiting for a Midwest window, this one is worth watching closely.
Rocky Mountains: A Brief Reset
Parts of Colorado and Utah picked up a nice shot of winter last week, but the coming weekend looks quieter and slightly warmer by comparison.
This isn’t a negative - just a pause.
Expect:
* Fewer storms in the short term
* A reset before the next active pattern
California: Still Waiting on Winter
California remains stubbornly stuck on the sidelines.
The Sierra Nevada has yet to see a meaningful, sustained winter pattern, and patience continues to wear thin. Storms have either missed, weakened, or failed to deliver the kind of snow the region needs to build depth.
Honest weather report:No snow. No baddies. Features are fire. (Watch the show for this to make sense.)
Pacific Northwest, British Columbia & Alberta: Incoming
Finally, eyes turn to the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Alberta.
A storm system is expected to arrive early next week, with heavy snow potential for parts of the region. Depending on how the track and intensity evolve, the Northern Rockies could also find themselves in the splash zone.
This is the most promising short-term setup in North America outside the Midwest, and one to monitor closely for both snowfall totals and travel planning.
Final Update: The Squirrels Remain Undefeated
As for the squirrels, it seems many of you are living my reality.
They’re still in the house. They party every night. I’m fairly confident Rusty bowled a perfect 300 two nights ago. And despite hearing them above me, we’ve now found acorns in the basement.
Conclusion: they’re everywhere. I have no idea how to get them out of the walls, and it’s deeply off-putting.
If anyone has a solution that doesn’t involve moving or burning the house down, I’m all ears.
Till next week,Halley
