If you woke up this morning, looked out the window, and wondered if the weatherman was playing a prank on you, you aren't alone. Predicting snow is basically like trying to herd cats in a dark room. Today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, we are seeing a weirdly fragmented map where some folks are shoveling six inches while their neighbors two towns over haven't seen a single flake.
The big story for today's snow totals for today isn't a massive "Snowpocalypse" hitting the whole country at once. Instead, it's a messy, high-impact mix of lake-effect bands in the Northeast, a sneaky clipper system in the Midwest, and some surprising dusting way down south in Georgia.
The Northeast: Adirondacks and Berkshires Are Winning
Right now, the National Weather Service (NWS) is keeping a very close eye on eastern New York and western New England. If you're in the southern foothills of the Adirondacks or the northern Berkshires, you’re likely seeing the heaviest snow totals for today. We are looking at a solid 2 to 5 inches across much of the region, but specific spots like Litchfield County, CT, and parts of the southern Green Mountains in Vermont could easily top out at 7 or 8 inches by the time the sun goes down.
- Connecticut: Winter weather advisories are up until 7 p.m. Expect 2–4 inches in the northwest, but only a coating to 2 inches as you head toward the coast.
- Massachusetts: The "snow train" is moving through Franklin and Hampshire counties. High-elevation spots in the Berkshires are the jackpot winners here, likely hitting that 6-inch mark.
- New York: It's all about the upslope flow. Places like Kingston and New Paltz are seeing moderate accumulations, while the North Country is getting hit with those persistent 5-inch totals.
Honestly, the roads are the real concern. Even three inches of this dry, cold snow can turn a highway into a skating rink. If you've gotta be out, just take it slow.
The "Southern Surprise": Georgia and the Carolinas
Wait, snow in Georgia? Yep. It's happening.
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Before you get out the sleds, keep in mind we’re talking about "Georgia snow," which basically means "don't panic, but maybe stay off the roads." The NWS in Peachtree City has confirmed a wintry mix for the mountains of far north Georgia. We are looking at snow totals for today of maybe half an inch at the highest elevations.
However, there is a second system brewing for tonight into Sunday morning. That one is the real wildcard. Forecasters like Dylan Lusk at the NWS have been pretty transparent about the uncertainty. We could see a band of 1 to 2.5 inches south of the I-85 corridor—specifically around Macon-Bibb County—but there’s also a decent chance people get "absolutely nothing." Cold air is the fuel here, with temperatures expected to drop to 25°F tonight.
Midwest and Great Lakes: The Lake-Effect Machine
Over in Michigan and Wisconsin, the story is less about a single "storm" and more about the "lake-effect machine" that just won't quit.
Whitecap Mountain in Wisconsin is currently sitting on some of the deepest snow depth in the region—64 inches and counting. For snow totals for today, we’re seeing localized bursts of 4 to 6 inches in northern Michigan, particularly around the Snowriver Mountain Resort area.
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What’s interesting is the "reverse" track some of these systems are taking. Usually, weather moves west to east, but we’ve seen some weird westward-pushing bands coming off the Atlantic and the Great Lakes, which is making the local accumulation maps look like a Jackson Pollock painting.
Why Your App Might Be Wrong
You’ve probably noticed that your iPhone or Android weather app says "2 inches" but your deck has four. Why the gap?
- Snow Ratios: Not all snow is created equal. Cold, "dry" snow has a high ratio (like 20:1), meaning a tiny bit of water creates a lot of fluff.
- Micro-Climates: Elevation is everything. In the Berkshires today, a 500-foot difference in height can be the difference between a slushy mess and 6 inches of powder.
- Radar Shadows: Sometimes hills block the radar beam, making it look like nothing is falling when it’s actually dumping.
The West: Still Digging Out from the "Seven-Footers"
Out West, things have calmed down slightly compared to the massive dumps earlier this month, but the base depths are insane. Palisades Tahoe and Heavenly are basically 100% open after that seven-foot cycle.
For today specifically, we’re looking at lighter accumulation—maybe 1 to 3 inches—across the Cascades and the Rockies. The real depth is still up in Canada, where Revelstoke is boasting a season total of over 23 feet. If you’re looking for the deepest snow totals for today in terms of standing depth, the Surprise Meadow station in Wyoming is reporting a staggering 94 inches on the ground.
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Real-Time Totals: A Quick Look at the Numbers
| Location | Expected Total (Today) | Current Snow Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Adirondacks, NY | 5–7 inches | 24–60 inches |
| Litchfield County, CT | 2–4 inches | 15–20 inches |
| Macon, GA | Trace to 1 inch | 0 inches |
| Western MA | 3–6 inches | 12–25 inches |
| Northern Michigan | 4–5 inches | 36–45 inches |
What You Should Actually Do
If you are in an area with active advisories, the "next steps" are pretty simple but people always forget them. Check your tire pressure; cold air makes it drop, and you don't want to find that out while sliding toward a ditch.
If you're in Georgia or the Carolinas, watch the "wet bulb" temperature. If it stays just above freezing, you'll get rain. If it drops, that ice is going to be a nightmare for the Sunday morning commute.
For the skiers, the Northeast is the place to be today. The snow is cold enough that it won't turn into the "New England Concrete" we usually deal with. It’ll be light, fast, and honestly, pretty fun. Just keep an eye on the wind—gusts are hitting 30+ mph in the higher elevations, which might put some lifts on standby.
Keep your headlights on, keep your salt bucket handy, and maybe check the local NWS "Area Forecast Discussion" if you want the real, unvarnished truth from the meteorologists who are currently staring at these screens with bleary eyes.
Actionable Winter Prep
- Clear your tailpipe: If you get stuck in a snowbank, a blocked exhaust can lead to carbon monoxide buildup.
- Check the "Snow-to-Liquid" ratio: If the snow looks like powder, it’ll blow around and create drifts. If it’s heavy and wet, your heart is at risk while shoveling.
- Wiper blades up: If you're in the Northeast, pull those blades up now before the freeze-thaw cycle glues them to your windshield tonight.
The snow totals for today are going to keep shifting as these local bands move through, so don't take a 6 a.m. forecast as gospel. Nature has a way of changing its mind.
The best way to stay safe is to monitor your local airport's ASOS (Automated Surface Observing System) data for the most frequent updates. If the visibility drops below a quarter-mile, that's your cue to stay inside and wait it out.