U.S. Snow Report Today

Arctic Alaska Primed for Significant Snowfall as Lower 48 Sees Modest Activity

While the Lower 48 states are experiencing only scattered snow activity with modest accumulations in the Pacific Northwest and Colorado Rockies, Alaska's Brooks Range is positioning itself as the nation's winter weather hotspot over the next two days. The most significant action is forecast for the remote northern reaches, where Imnaviat Creek is expected to receive up to 6 inches of new snow accompanied by rain/snow mix and dense fog. This represents a notable uptick from current conditions, as recent observations show only 2 inches currently reported in Washington's Sawmill Ridge and Colorado's Vallecito area.

The Dalton Highway corridor through Alaska's Arctic interior will bear the brunt of incoming winter weather, with Atigun Pass—a critical mountain crossing at 4,739 feet elevation—forecast to accumulate 4 inches of fresh snow amid challenging conditions including freezing fog and mixed precipitation. This pass, which serves as the only overland route to Alaska's North Slope, often becomes treacherous during active weather patterns, and the combination of new snow and reduced visibility will create hazardous travel conditions for truckers servicing the Prudhoe Bay oil fields. Speaking of Prudhoe Bay, even this coastal Arctic location is expected to see 2 inches of accumulation despite its proximity to the relatively warmer Beaufort Sea, with conditions transitioning from snow to rain as temperatures fluctuate near freezing.

Meanwhile, the recent 2-inch snowfalls reported in Washington's Cascades near Sawmill Ridge and Colorado's San Juan Mountains near Vallecito represent the tail end of departing systems rather than the beginning of major snow events. With base depths of 170 inches at Sawmill Ridge, Washington ski resorts are maintaining excellent coverage despite the modest recent activity, while Vallecito's meager 3-inch base reflects Colorado's challenging early-season conditions. For snow enthusiasts seeking the most dynamic and intense snowfall over the next 48 hours, all eyes should turn northward to Alaska's Brooks Range, where the combination of arctic air masses and moisture will deliver the nation's most significant accumulations in an impressively remote and wild setting.