7 Day Powder Forecast

Image from yesterday @ Stowe, Vermont

Light snow is falling in the North Cascades from Mount Baker to Stevens Pass (Above 4500 feet). 3-5 inches likely today migrates to northern Idaho late Friday and into the Rockies for Saturday. This system is bringing NW flow which is good for Grand Targhee and areas of Colorado near Vail Pass. Light snow will be likely Saturday in many of these areas (Quick freshening).

Cooler temperatures alone with NW flow can spell some orographic snow showers that make accumulations higher than the models forecast. I would expect the Tetons in the 3-5 inch range Saturday AM and areas along I-70 in Colorado with similar amounts during the day. Vail could reap higher amounts if orographics set up (Wildcard).

The Cascades will warm significantly Saturday night/Sunday with heavy rainfall at lower elevations of all mountain areas (Primarily North Cascades) and very wet snow at the peaks ( upper elevation snow could be very deep). Significant Avalanche danger will exist late this weekend in the north Cascades. Temps cool late Sunday into Monday with light snow extending to the base areas (Monday might be decent with wet mank beneath the new snow).

Extended: Cold air filters into north central Idaho, Montana, Tetons, Wasatch (3-4) and Colorado Monday-Tuesday with a better chance of medium density snowfall. I am most bullish with Idaho, Montana, and Colorado currently for a quick teaser of 4-6 inches. Higher amounts are possible in favored areas with NW flow.

Another storm rolls into the NW late next week and over the Rockies by next weekend. This one has more potential.