You’re staring at the weather app, seeing a 47-degree high for Killington today, and wondering if you should’ve packed a raincoat instead of your ski shell. Honestly, it’s a valid concern. Vermont weather is notorious for its mood swings, and "The Beast" has its own set of rules when it comes to the atmosphere. While the base might feel like a spring day in January, the summit is often an entirely different animal.
Currently, the weather forecast Killington VT is showing a cloudy afternoon with a temperature of 47°F, but it feels more like 42°F thanks to an 8 mph breeze coming out of the southwest. It’s warm. Maybe too warm for some, but don't let the mid-40s fool you into thinking winter is over. By tonight, things take a turn as we expect snow showers to move in.
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Why the Beast’s Microclimates Mess With Your Plans
If you’ve ever stood at the base of Ramshead and looked up toward the clouds obscuring Killington Peak, you know the valley floor rarely tells the whole story. The "The Beast of the East" spans six different mountain peaks. That’s a lot of vertical space for the air to cool down.
Tonight, the temperature is going to drop to 40°F, and the chance of snow jumps to 50%. Tomorrow, Thursday, January 15, the high hits 41°F before the floor falls out. We’re looking at a low of 12°F tomorrow night. That is a 29-degree swing in a single day.
Basically, the mountain is in a transition phase. We are seeing a "January Thaw" right now, but the cold air is waiting just behind the curtain. If you’re heading out today, January 14, keep in mind that the Superstar Lift is actually closed for a scheduled load test on its backup generator. It’s not the weather keeping that chair from spinning, but it’s a good reminder to check the lift status before you trudge through the slush.
The 10-Day Outlook: A Return to Real Winter
If you're looking for that classic Vermont "refrigerator" feel, just wait 48 hours. Friday, January 16, brings a high of only 22°F with light snow. The wind is going to kick up too, coming from the west at 16 mph.
Here is the quick breakdown of what the next week looks like:
- Saturday (Jan 17): High of 38°F, low of 20°F with more snow on the way.
- Sunday (Jan 18): Mostly cloudy, high of 30°F. This is the sweet spot for many—not too cold, not too warm.
- Early Next Week: Monday and Tuesday (Jan 19-20) look like "true" winter. Highs will struggle to get past 24°F on Monday and a biting 17°F on Tuesday.
- The Deep Freeze: By Tuesday night, we’re looking at a low of 5°F.
For anyone planning an MLK weekend trip, the weather forecast Killington VT is actually lining up quite nicely. You’ll get some fresh flakes on Saturday and Sunday, with the air staying cold enough to keep the snow "loud" and crisp rather than heavy and wet.
What the Locals Know (And You Should Too)
Kinda crazy how people rely solely on their phone's default weather app. If you want the real scoop, you have to look at the "Snow Line." Right now, the freezing level is hovering around 3,000 feet. This means it might be drizzling at the K-1 Base Lodge while it's actually puking snow at the summit.
Honestly, the best turns this week will likely be found on Friday morning. After the rain/snow mix on Wednesday night and the temperature crash on Thursday, the grooming teams will be out in full force. Killington has one of the most powerful snowmaking systems on the planet, and they’ll be using that 12-degree window on Thursday night to "resurface" everything.
Strategy for the Current Forecast
- Layer for Humidity: The humidity is sitting at 61% right now and will spike to 91% tomorrow. Damp cold feels way worse than dry cold. Wear a moisture-wicking base layer unless you want to feel like a wet towel by lunchtime.
- Watch the Wind: Southwest winds at 12-16 mph are common this week, but they often gust much higher on the Skye Peak and Killington Peak ridges. If the gondola goes on wind hold, head to the lower-elevation chairs like those at Snowshed or Ramshead.
- The "Goggle" Factor: With snow showers and light snow predicted almost every day from Friday through next Wednesday, low-light lenses (yellow or rose tint) are going to be your best friend. Flat light on the East Coast is no joke.
The mountain is currently holding a 15-inch base depth, which isn't huge for mid-January, but the consistent "refresh" of 1-2 inches expected over the next several nights will keep the surfaces from getting too "boilerplate."
By the time we get to next Wednesday, January 21, the sky should clear up for some partly sunny intervals. It’ll be cold—high of 17°F—but that’s the kind of weather that makes the après-ski at the Access Road bars feel even better.
Actionable Insight: If you are driving up this weekend, prepare for a messy transition. The rain-to-snow switch on Wednesday night into Thursday morning can create "black ice" on Route 4. Give yourself extra time and make sure your tires are up to the task before you hit the Sherburne Pass. Check the mountain webcams on Friday morning to see if the clouds have lifted before you commit to a summit pass.