Cold weather holds through January 6th, and a big hurdle has emerged for the 2nd full weekend of the month

Happy 2026 Mad River Glen skiers. Wintry temps and some light and fluffy snowfall kick off the year in a positive way. I wish I could carry that positive energy throughout this update, but we got some challenges in early January that have arisen. We still have a cold weekend and some sunshine and good visibility to accompany that. Snowfall in the short term (after what falls on New Year's Day) appears pretty minimal. Snow showers late Friday and Friday night will amount to an inch or two and then some rare La Nina subtropical energy gets a storm going this weekend across the south. That system will make a run up the coast but fall well short of bringing snow into Vermont. The result will be some cold and fair weather with subzero overnight low temperatures and low teens in the afternoon. Winds will be a factor so dress appropriately though not unusually strong. 

The cold, dry weather should continue through Monday, January 5th and then we have the increased risk for some warm advection style snowfall. Models are not indicating significant amounts though I expect this forecast to evolve some as we approach the period in question. Right now the best chance for heavier snow comes as we enter the middle of the week period around January 6th and 7th. The period beginning January 8th and ending January 11th all appear warmer and represent the more concerning part of the outlook. Not every day will be a torch, but ensembles have clearly opened the door for a significant thaw as the temporarily energized Pacific makes it more difficult for arctic cold to stand its ground. Still a window of opportunity for some changes and I certainly expect some. As of now however, the most problematic day might occur around January 10th which could feature rain, 40-plus temperatures and some mild snow eating winds.  Certainly, frustrating to watch a potential period of snow storminess go in this direction 

The outlook continues to show promise beyond January 10th. The jet stream in the Pacific which will become fiery to start 2026, appears to relax around January 10th allowing a more favorable weather pattern to take shape.  We might need to work to reestablish a pool of cold across Canada. That said, it's January and it doesn't take much during the climatologically coldest period of the season.