Powder Alert: Cascades, Northern Rockies, BC & New England

POWDER ALERT- CASCADES, NORTHERN ROCKIES, BRITISH COLUMBIA, NEW ENGLAND – “ATMOSPHERIC RIVER EVENT CONTINUES”

SYNOPSIS: ATMOSPHERIC RIVER EVENT CONTINUES ACROSS THE WEST

Significant snows fell across the Sierra (4-5 feet), Wasatch (4 feet- north), and nearly 3 feet in the Tetons. The grand slam was found in Colorado where MonarchMountain logged nearly 98 inches in 5 days! The warm temperatures created dense snow at lower elevation resorts, extreme avalanche danger, periodic wind holds, and closures of mountains last week (Powder, Sundance).. The exception was found in Colorado where blower pow was reported in some of the higher elevations (Breckenridge, Silverton, Loveland etc.). Many areas reported 5 straight powder days (excess of 10 inches in our books). We bounced back between Jackson Hole, Solitude, and Snowbird last week. This week will see a repeat performance with most moisture aimed further north and slighter warmer temperatures (Cascades, Northern Rockies).

Cascades:

Moderate snow turns heavy late tonight and early Wednesday (Moderate to high snow levels dropping by Wednesday AM (6-12). Next round of moderate moisture will be found Wednesday night and again Thursday night/Friday. Lower snow levels drop all snow to the bases by Thursday/Friday. We like the latter part of the week better for 3,000 to 3,500 foot snow levels. This might repeat for Sunday (Additional snowfall with 3,000-3500 foot snow levels). The North Cascades near Baker will see the highest amounts (30 inches plus). Central and northern Idaho will also do well over the next several days at upper elevations (9-15) as waves of moisture come in every 24 hours!

Rockies:

Significant dense snowfall likely in the Northern Wasatch (Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, Beaver Mountain, North Logan) at upper elevations above 8,000 feet Wednesday night through Friday (18-28 inches). The Tetons do well with slightly higher snow levels (Dense snowfall through Friday- 14-20 inches). Southern Wasatch south of I-80 will be in the 12-18 inch range aided by the higher elevations, medium density at the summits (Don’t expect any Blower). Snowfall returns Saturday night through Monday with slightly cooler temperatures (We like this better but not as deep).

Colorado stays on the southern end of moisture so expect 4-7 inches along I-70 (Vail to Breckenridge) with perhaps higher amounts in spots above 9,000 feet and north towards Rabbit Ears Pass (6-10). Models are showing another light round of snow over Colorado on Saturday and perhaps cooler NW flow for Sunday or Monday (Orographics might aid in snowfall for Summit and Vail Valley but models are not pinpointing). Last minute chases are likely! Suggest you consider higher elevation resorts! I might prefer the Cascades over all others by the end of the week with moderate snow levels and deep snow. BC finally gets action this week after a 3-4 week dry spell! Yee-ha

New England: Latest models show a good dump of snowfall Thursday -Friday AM favoring southern New England from central Vermont to New Hampshire. Inland Maine will do best late Thursday and Friday. All resorts from Central Vermont through Maine will see 6-11 inches!