Winter isn't holding back. If you woke up and looked out the window wondering where did it snow in US today, you aren't alone; a massive chunk of the interior West and the Great Lakes region is currently buried under a fresh layer of white. It's January 17, 2026, and the atmosphere is behaving exactly like you’d expect during a mid-winter peak, with a lingering trough pulling Canadian air down into the lower 48.
The snow isn't hitting everywhere, obviously.
But for folks in the Cascades, the Rockies, and specifically the "Snowbelt" regions of Michigan and New York, the shovels are already out. It's a mess out there in some spots. While the I-95 corridor is mostly dealing with a chilly rain or just depressing gray clouds, the higher elevations are seeing legitimate accumulation that’s making travel a nightmare.
The High Country Is Getting Hammered
The most significant snowfall today is concentrated in the mountain ranges. We’re talking about the Cascades in Washington and Oregon, where a moist Pacific flow is slamming into the cold air trapped against the peaks. Pass levels are seeing several inches an hour in some localized bursts. According to the latest National Weather Service (NWS) updates, Snoqualmie Pass and Stevens Pass are dealing with limited visibility. If you’re driving through there, honestly, just don’t unless you have chains and a lot of patience.
Down through the Rockies, it’s a similar story. Colorado and Utah are seeing that light, powdery "champagne" snow that skiers live for, but it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. While the resorts at Alta and Vail are celebrating, the actual residents of towns like Silverthorne are just trying to get to the grocery store without sliding into a ditch.
The Wasatch Range in Utah has been a particular hotspot today. A localized atmospheric setup has funneled moisture directly into the salt lake basin's surrounding peaks. We’ve seen reports of nearly 8 inches of fresh powder since midnight in some of the higher-tier canyons. It’s cold. Really cold. The kind of cold that makes your nose hairs freeze the second you step out of the mudroom.
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Lake Effect Chaos in the Midwest
You can't talk about where did it snow in US today without mentioning the Great Lakes. The water is still relatively warm compared to the frigid air masses dropping down from Ontario. This temperature differential is the perfect recipe for lake-effect snow.
Western New York and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are currently in the crosshairs.
- Buffalo and the surrounding suburbs are seeing those classic narrow bands of intense snow. You could be in bright sunshine five miles away while your cousin is getting three inches an hour.
- Marquette, Michigan, is basically a snow globe right now.
- Northern Indiana and parts of Ohio near Lake Erie are seeing "greasy" roads—that thin, slick layer of slush that’s actually more dangerous than a foot of dry snow.
The NWS Buffalo office has been monitoring a specific band off Lake Erie that is drifting slowly southward. It’s erratic. One minute the radar looks clear, and the next, a deep purple blob appears over the Southtowns. That’s the nature of the beast in January.
Why the Northeast is Mostly Missing Out
It’s a bit of a weird day for the Northeast megalopolis. While there’s plenty of cold air, the moisture isn't lining up. New York City, Philly, and Boston are mostly dry or dealing with a few "nuisance" flakes that melt the second they hit the pavement. The storm track stayed just a bit too far north and west to give the coastal cities a real snow day.
If you're in the Appalachians, specifically West Virginia and Western Pennsylvania, you're seeing some upslope snow. It’s pretty, but it isn’t the "shut down the schools" kind of event most kids in Pittsburgh are hoping for.
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Real-Time Data and Weather Stations
If you want the nitty-gritty details, looking at the SNOTEL (Snow Telemetry) sites managed by the USDA is the way to go. These automated stations in the high mountains provide the most accurate "ground truth" we have. As of this morning, several stations in the Tetons of Wyoming recorded a jump of 5-7 inches in snow depth over the last 24 hours.
Meanwhile, in the Northeast, the COOP (Cooperative Observer Program) network—which is mostly made up of dedicated volunteers measuring snow in their backyards with a literal yardstick—is reporting much lower totals. Most of the "snow" reported in the Midwest is hovering in the 2-4 inch range, with the exception of those lake-effect zones we talked about earlier.
The Science of Today’s Cold Front
Basically, what’s happening is a classic meridional flow. Instead of the jet stream moving straight from west to east, it’s got these big "wiggles" in it. One of those wiggles—a deep trough—is sitting over the center of the country. This allows the cold air to dive deep into the South (even parts of Tennessee are feeling the chill) while the moisture rides along the edge of that cold air.
The "rain-snow line" is the big story for the Mid-Atlantic. It’s hovering right over the Mason-Dixon line. A shift of just twenty miles would have changed the forecast from a rainy Tuesday to a winter wonderland. But as it stands, if you're in Baltimore, you’re just getting wet. If you’re in the mountains of Garrett County, you’re shoveling.
Unexpected Dustings in the High Desert
One of the more surprising spots where it snowed in US today is the high desert of Arizona and New Mexico. It’s not a lot, mind you. But Flagstaff and the surrounding areas saw a dusting that turned the red rocks white for a few hours this morning. It’s a stark contrast and honestly one of the most beautiful sights in the country, even if it causes a few fender benders on I-40.
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The moisture from the Pacific pushed just far enough south to interact with the tail end of the cold front. It won't last. The desert sun is surprisingly strong even in January, and most of that will be gone by sunset, leaving behind nothing but mud and some very confused cacti.
Actionable Tips for Navigating the Snow
If you are currently in one of the impact zones, there are a few things you should be doing right now. This isn't just about knowing where it's snowing; it's about not getting stuck in it.
- Check the RWIS: Most state DOTs have Road Weather Information Systems. These are cameras and sensors actually embedded in the asphalt. Don't trust the generic weather app on your phone; look at the actual camera feed for the pass you’re about to drive over.
- Check Tire Pressure: Cold air makes your tire pressure drop (the ideal gas law in action). If your "low tire" light came on this morning, it’s probably just the cold, but you still need to fill them up to maintain traction on slick roads.
- The "Weight" Factor: If you’re in the Northwest, the snow is "heavy." It’s wet. It’s heart-attack snow. If you’re shoveling, take it slow.
- Bridge Decks: Remember that bridges freeze before roads. Even if the ground is just wet, a bridge over a creek can be a sheet of black ice because the air circulates underneath it.
Looking Ahead to Tonight
The snow isn't done. As the sun goes down, the "lake effect engines" in Michigan and New York are expected to crank up again. The NWS is warning that visibility could drop to near zero in some of those bands.
For the rest of the country, the system is sliding eastward. By tomorrow morning, the conversation about where did it snow in US today will likely shift toward the interior Northeast—think Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. They’ve been waiting for a good base for the ski season, and it looks like they’re finally going to get it.
Stay off the roads if the plow hasn't been by yet. If you have to go out, make sure you have a full tank of gas and a warm blanket in the back. It sounds like overkill until you’re sitting on a closed interstate for six hours because a semi-truck jackknifed three miles ahead of you.
Monitor the National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (NOHRSC) for the most detailed snow-depth maps available. They use a mix of satellite data and ground reports to create a "modeled" snowpack that is incredibly accurate for seeing exactly where the accumulation is heaviest across the entire continental United States. Keep an eye on the wind speeds too, as blowing snow can turn a few inches of accumulation into massive drifts that block driveways and side streets.