Huge Snowfall Hitting Northwest North America

A giant snowstorm is currently hitting the Northwest of North America with one ski area reporting more than a metre of snow falling in three days.

The snow has been particularly welcome where it has been heaviest in the Pacific Northwest.  This area, which includes Alaska, western British Columbia and US states like Washington, had missed out on big autumn snowfalls in states like Colorado as it had been too warm further north.

The current snow there seems to be balancing the books somewhat though.  Whistler (pictured top, image credit Mitch Winton photography), which had been struggling to open much terrain, has already had 1.3 metres (4.3 feet) of snowfall since Sunday, with 50cm in the last 24 hours, and at least another metre is forecast, meaning this week’s snow total there is likely to equal its total accumulation through the autumn up to last weekend.

Further south Mt Baker in Washington State which typically gets more snow than any other resort on the planet each season, but this autumn hadn’t been able to open much as it was too warm and wet, has reported 136cm (4.5 feet) of snow in the first four days of this week, so it’s back in the game.  There’s no sign of the storm ending soon either.

The snow has now moved further inland bringing more snow to areas which, in some cases, are already enjoying their snowiest start to the season for five years.

This was Jackson Hole yesterday: