2017-18 Ski Season Summary

The following major weather patterns affected the 2017-18 ski season.
First half of November: Snowfall was high in western Canada, the Pacific Northwest and US Northern Rockies but well below average farther south.
Mid to late November: Warm atmospheric river storms first hit California establishing a base only on the upper parts of Mammoth, Mt, Rose and Kirkwood, but nearly all rain elsewhere. The next storm rained over the Pacific Northwest and lower altitudes further inland, but most of those areas already had a snowpack, which was topped off by a colder storm at the end of November.
First half of December: During this period the "Godzilla Ridge" kept the entire western US bone dry with modest snowfalls only in western Canada.
Second half of December: California and the Southwest remained dry while there was close to average snowfall elsewhere.
January: Snowfall continued the season pattern ranging from above average in the northern regions to below average in the southern regions. The most intense storms during the second half of January totalled 6+ feet in Washington, Montana and western Canada.
First half of February: A warm storm rained over much of the Pacific Northwest and lower elevation areas farther inland. Snowfall was average or better in higher inland locations of Canada, the US Northern Rockies and Colorado. California, Utah and the Southwest continued to suffer with high pressure and half normal snowfall.
Second half of February: This period had average snowfall but bitterly cold temperatures throughout the West.
Most of March: California was hit by 3 big storms totaling 8-15 feet. Snowfall was average in Utah and northern regions but only half of average in Colorado.
Late March and April: In late March the storm track resumed its season pattern moving north to western Canada. An early April warm storm rained to the top of California and Utah areas but brought dense snow to Colorado. For the rest of April snowfall was average in western Canada, the US Northern Rockies and the Continental Divide region of Colorado but drier than normal elsewhere.

2017-18 favored the northern over the southern regions to an extreme degree with a only a narrow region in between near average, ranging from Mt. Hood to the Tetons. Many areas in Washington, Montana and farther north were over 120% of normal while most from central Oregon, Utah, Colorado and farther south were under 80%, with the Southwest suffering worst at 60% or less. For more detail on snow incidence by month and region, see 2017-18 Ski Season Analysis.