Snow is a fickle friend this year. If you’re staring out a window in the Mid-Atlantic or the South today, January 14, 2026, you might be seeing more puddles than powder. But don't let the green grass fool you. Winter is finally putting its boots on in a few very specific corners of the country.
Honestly, it's been a weird season. We're currently dealing with a "snow drought" in places that usually have feet of the stuff by now. However, right this second, a series of cold fronts is finally moving the needle. If you want the short answer: look to the Great Lakes, the Northern Rockies, and the high peaks of the Northeast.
The "Right Now" Snow Map: Who's Getting Hit?
If you are looking for fresh, falling flakes this morning, your best bet is the Great Lakes region. A cold front is pushing through, and it's triggering some serious lake-effect action.
The National Weather Service has issued advisories for Northeast Ohio—think Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Ashtabula counties. They’re looking at 2 to 5 inches through Thursday. It's that classic Lake Erie setup where the sky just opens up over Cleveland and doesn't stop for 24 hours.
Meanwhile, Lake Michigan is doing its own thing. There's a band of heavy snow forecast for the southeast shore of the lake. We’re talking potential for 8–12 inches. If you’re in that zone, your commute today is basically a game of "where's the lane marker?"
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The Midwest and Ohio Valley
The rain is currently switching over to snow across the Ohio Valley. It’s a messy transition. You've got that "slop" phase where it’s not quite ice but definitely not fluffy. As the low pressure takes shape, parts of the Appalachians and the Tug Hill region in New York are expected to pick up 3–6 inches, with some lucky spots hitting 10 inches by tomorrow.
What about the Ski Resorts?
Let's talk about the West. It’s been a struggle. Most of the Southwest and Pacific Northwest are sitting well below their normal snowpack levels. Oregon and Washington have been particularly hard-hit by "warm rain" events that just eat the base away.
But there are bright spots.
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming: They are one of the few places actually beating the historical averages right now. The northern basins in Wyoming are sitting at about 119% of their median snow water equivalent.
- Mammoth Mountain, California: While most of the Sierra is struggling, Mammoth has a pocket of "dark blue" on the maps, showing over 180% of normal snow concentration.
- The Northern Rockies: Idaho has finally moved into the "green" on the charts, meaning they’re at 90% or better.
In the Northeast, resorts like Smugglers' Notch and Hunter Mountain are reporting modest natural bases—usually between 14 to 40 inches—but they are relying heavily on man-made snow to keep the trails open. The good news for them? The cold air arriving today means the snow guns can finally run at full blast.
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Why it feels like there's no snow (The Snow Drought)
It is not just your imagination. On January 4th, the US recorded its lowest snow cover since the MODIS satellite started tracking this in 2001. That is a heavy stat. Basically, the first half of the winter was record-warm for almost every major river basin in the West.
Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Utah are all feeling the pinch. In Colorado, about 85% of the monitoring stations are in an official "snow drought." This doesn't mean there's no snow, but it means the "Snow Water Equivalent" (the actual water locked in the snow) is below the 20th percentile.
Coming Attractions: The Next 48 Hours
If you aren't seeing snow yet, don't pack away the shovel. Another system is diving out of the Canadian Prairies as we speak. This one is heading for the Northern Tier.
By Thursday night and Friday, we’re expecting additional snowfall across the Northern Plains and the Midwest. The amounts might not be record-breaking, but the winds are going to be a problem. Blowing snow is going to make visibility a nightmare in states like North Dakota and Minnesota.
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The "Wild Card" Northeast Storm
Keep an eye on the weekend. Forecasters are currently scratching their heads over a developing cyclone offshore of the Carolinas. If that thing hugs the coast, the I-95 corridor could finally get its first real "plowable" snow of the season by Sunday night. If it stays out to sea? Just another windy, cold day for New York and Philly.
Actionable Next Steps for Snow Seekers
If you're trying to find the powder right now, here is your move:
- Check the SNOTEL Maps: If you're out west, don't trust the resort website alone. Look at the USDA SNOTEL data for "Percent of Median." It tells you the truth about the base.
- Follow the Lake Effect: For the next 24 hours, the most consistent falling snow will be downwind of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie.
- Head North: The "Northern Tier" (ID, MT, WY) is the only place with a reliable, deep winter feel right now.
- Monitor the "Backside" of the Low: As the current system moves into the Northeast tonight, watch for the transition from rain to snow. The "Tug Hill" plateau in New York is usually the big winner in this specific weather setup.
Winter is late, but it’s finally showing up. Just keep an eye on those lake-effect bands—they can turn a clear road into a whiteout in about three minutes flat.