The response of atmospheric variability to the Tibetan Plateau (TP) snow cover (TPSC) at interannual to decadal time-scales has been extensively investigated. However, the response of the atmosphere to the subseasonal variability of the TPSC has been largely ignored. Here, we found that the subseasonal variability of the TPSC revealed by daily data can serve as an indicator of East Asian atmospheric circulation on medium-range time-scales (approximately 3–7 days in advance). The subseasonal variability of the TPSC influences the upper-level regional atmospheric circulations, especially the East Asia upper-level westerly jet stream (EAJS), during wintertime. The variability of the TPSC modulates the land surface thermal conditions over the TP, which acts as an elevated cooling source in the middle troposphere during wintertime. The upper-level geopotential height is affected by the TPSC and then the zonal wind. As a result, the EAJS is influenced.