Updated October 26th, 2026 @ 9:45 AM
Ullr’s Synopsis
Excerpts from Cliff Mass Blog – https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/
“October 24, 2026
Godzilla-Low Pressure, Heavy Rain, and Drifting Snow Ahead for the Pacific Northwest
Northwest meteorological winter is about to begin dramatically.
Heavy rain and massive mountain snows are on the way. Reservoirs will begin to fill.
Those worried about El Nino drought will be able to relax.
The forecast from the NOAA global model (the GFS) for the next week predicts a stunning persistent upper-level low along our coast, illustrated below by the average 500 hPa heights (think of it as pressure at 18,000 ft) through next Saturday.
Mamma Mia!
An intense upper-level low over the northern Gulf of Alaska. The PERFECT configuration to moisten our region.
Unbelievable. Massive amounts, with over ten inches of liquid water in some mountain locations. Way more than normal for the period.
Snowfall in the mountains will be extreme. Not feet. Yards of snow at some elevations.
I noted in earlier blogs that extreme El Nino years often enjoy good water resources in the Northwest. No drought. The next two weeks may be the start of this favorable outcome.”
Environment Canada Forecast
Storm Tracker
For higher resolution forcast, see Windy.com – Precipitation/Wind/Pressure Overlay 10 day Forecast
Red Mountain Resort
Elevations – 2064 to 1164 meters
Alpine Total
–
Alpine Temp.
–
24 Hour New
–
Whitewater Mountain Resort
Elevations – 2063 to 1390 meters
Alpine Total
–
Alpine Temp.
–
24 Hour New
–
Avalanche Forecasts
Avalanche Canada’s – Mountain Weather Forecast
North West Avalanche Center’s – Mountain Weather Forecast
Association of Canadian Mountain Guides – Mountain Conditions Reports
Environment Canada – BC Traveller’s Forecast
Current Conditions
Weather Manual / Glossary / Discussions
This page serves to aggregate many sources of relevant weather data and information found on line and is in constant development. We hope that the information here serves the outdoor sports community in helping make better decisions about their outdoor activities.
Although this page is geo-specific to Red and Granite Mountains near Rossland, BC, many of the tools apply to much of the Pacific North West.
For more information about weather in general, see weather and meteorology. And, for discussions about the bigger issue for our planet, see climate.
For a guide to weather map symbols, see here.
Pro Tip – Click on images to see larger view … Then, open image in new tab or window for even larger view. Refresh browser for latest image.
Please be aware that weather forecasts are very fluid and dynamic, they are in constant change. To this I present the “Five Day Rule of Weather Prediction” from Cliff Mass from his weather blog at https://cliffmass.blogspot.com .
“Predictions of severe or exciting weather for more than five days out should be considered with caution. Be VERY careful of hyping forecasts for longer periods. Be aware of the uncertainty of big events predicted at longer lead times.”
MJO – Maden-Jullian Oscillation (Wikipedia)
El Niño (Wikipedia)
La Niña (Wikipedia)
Acknowledgements
Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass – High Elevation Text Forecast courtesy of Environment Canada.
Precipitation Forecast Video courtesy of The Weather Network
Weather imagery and data courtesy of AccuWeather, UNISYS, University of Washington – Atmospheric Sciences, The Weather Network, Canadian Avalanche Association and Intellicast.com
Special thanks to the Canadian Avalanche Association for their Kootenay Boundary Weather Forecast
Special thanks to Red Mountain Resort for their Web Cam feeds.
Special thanks to Whitewater Ski Resort for their Web Cam feeds.
Layout and page maintenance by Digital Synergy