Snow is weird. One minute you’re wearing a T-shirt in Denver, and three hours later, you’re digging your Subaru out of a drift that came out of nowhere. If you’re asking is it snowing anywhere in the US right now, the answer is almost always a resounding "yes," even if it’s the middle of July. But today? Today is Friday, January 16, 2026, and the map is looking pretty chaotic.
The jet stream is doing that wavy thing again.
Right now, a significant winter system is tracking across the Upper Midwest and into the Northeast. If you’re standing in downtown Minneapolis or anywhere near the Arrowhead of Minnesota, you don’t need a weather app to tell you it’s snowing. You can see it. It’s that heavy, wet stuff that sticks to power lines. Meanwhile, the western mountains are getting hammered by an atmospheric river that’s finally turning cold enough to drop the snow levels down to the pass elevations.
Where the flakes are falling: A real-time look at the map
The most intense activity right now is concentrated in the high country. Specifically, the Cascades in Washington and Oregon are seeing heavy accumulation. Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie are currently reporting active snowfall. It’s messy. Visibility is garbage. If you're driving I-90, you're likely seeing the "Chains Required" signs flashing.
Further east, the Northern Rockies are getting in on the action. Parts of Idaho—specifically the Panhandle—and Western Montana near Missoula are seeing light to moderate bands. It’s not a blizzard, but it’s enough to make the roads slick and the skiing world-class.
The Great Lakes are also acting up. Lake-effect snow is a finicky beast. Cold air is screaming across the relatively warmer waters of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. This is creating localized whiteout conditions in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (the UP). Places like Houghton and Marquette are basically snow factories this time of year. They get snow when nobody else does.
Why it might be snowing where you don't expect it
Sometimes the radar looks clear, but "diamond dust" is falling. These are tiny ice crystals that form in very cold, clear air. You’ll see them glinting in the sunlight. It’s technically precipitation, even if it doesn't count as a "storm."
Then there’s the "upslope" effect. This happens a lot in places like Boulder or Cheyenne. The wind hits the mountains, the air rises, it cools, and—boom—snow. You could have a sunny day in the plains of eastern Colorado while it’s dumping six inches just ten miles west.
The science behind the "Is it snowing anywhere in the US right now" search
Most people ask this because they’re planning a trip or they’re worried about a flight. In the US, the geography is so vast that we almost always have snow somewhere. Even in the dead of summer, the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada or the Alaskan ranges keep their white caps.
But for "active" snowfall, we look at the interaction between the polar vortex and the moisture coming off the Pacific or the Gulf of Mexico. Right now, in mid-January, we are in the heart of what meteorologists call the "cold pole" season.
- The Pacific Northwest: Currently the bullseye for moisture.
- The Northeast: Seeing a transition from rain to snow as a cold front pushes through Pennsylvania and into New York.
- The South: Dry. Sorry, Georgia. No snow for you today.
Actually, it's worth checking the higher elevations of the Appalachians. Sometimes the West Virginia mountains catch a "clipper" system that stays north of the big cities. Snowshoe Mountain often has flakes falling when D.C. is just damp and gray.
Understanding the limitations of radar
Don't trust every green or blue blob you see on your phone. Radar beams move in straight lines, but the earth is curved. This means that at long distances, the radar is looking way up in the clouds, not at what's hitting the ground.
Sometimes the radar shows blue (snow), but the air near the ground is too dry. The snow evaporates before it hits your windshield. Meteorologists call this "virga." It’s frustrating. You see the clouds, you see the radar, but you stay dry.
Conversely, "shallow" lake-effect snow can happen under the radar beam. You might be in a total whiteout in Buffalo, NY, while the official NWS radar shows nothing but a clear sky. It’s wild.
The impact on travel today
If you are flying through O'Hare or Minneapolis-St. Paul today, expect delays. De-icing takes time. A plane can't take off with even a thin layer of frost on the wings because it messes with the lift. It's basically physics.
Driving is the bigger concern. Black ice is the real villain. It forms when snow melts slightly during the day and freezes into a glass-like sheet as soon as the sun goes down. If you're in the transition zone—think Southern Illinois or Indiana right now—the roads are actually more dangerous than they are in the deep snow of North Dakota.
How to find the most accurate "Right Now" data
National Weather Service (NWS) is the gold standard. Forget the flashy apps for a second. Go to weather.gov and click on the map. They use human observers called CoCoRaHS volunteers who actually go outside and measure the stuff with a ruler.
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You can also check "webcams." This is the best "real-world" check. Want to know if it's snowing in Jackson Hole? Look at the town square webcam. Want to see if the Poconos are white? Check the ski resort cameras.
- Look at the "Water Vapor" satellite imagery. It shows where the fuel for snow is moving.
- Check the "Meso-analysis" pages if you're a real weather nerd. It shows the freezing level in the atmosphere.
- Monitor the "Special Weather Statements." These are the short-term warnings for sudden bursts of snow (snow squalls) that can cause 50-car pileups in seconds.
What's coming in the next 24 hours?
The system over the Midwest is sliding east. By tonight, the snow will likely start in earnest for parts of New England. Boston might see a dusting, but the real totals will stay inland toward the Berkshires and the Green Mountains.
The West is staying active. A second "pulse" of moisture is hitting the California coast. While it's rain in San Francisco, the Sierra Nevada—places like Tahoe and Mammoth—are going to see a massive increase in snow intensity by tomorrow morning.
Basically, the US is a snow machine in January. If it’s not snowing where you are, just wait. Or drive five hours north.
Actionable Winter Weather Steps
- Check the "Snow Squall" Warnings: These are newer alerts from the NWS. They are like tornado warnings but for snow. If your phone buzzes with one, pull over.
- Verify with DOT Cameras: Every state has a 511 system. Use it. Look at the actual pavement on the highway cameras before you head out.
- Don't trust the temperature gauge in your car: Those sensors are often wrong by 3-5 degrees because they are close to the engine or the black asphalt. If it says 36°F, it could easily be 32°F on the bridges.
- Pack a "Go-Bag" for your trunk: Even if it's just a light dusting. A candle, a blanket, and a bag of sand can literally save your life if you slide into a ditch in a rural area.
Snow is beautiful, but it's also a massive logistical headache. Whether you're chasing powder for a ski trip or just trying to get to work without spinning out, staying on top of the "right now" data is the only way to handle a US winter. Check the radar one more time before you leave; things are moving fast today.