From: Powderchasers.com
WASATCH, TETONS, MONTANA: Areas of the West that have not seen snow for several weeks will grab a freshening this weekend with significant precipitation likely for the Front Range of Colorado. Powder Alert hoisted for Eastern slopes of the Rockies over a large area of Coloradowhere up to 11-14 inches is likely. A good portion of Montana finally migrates to colder temperatures, and a several day event of light snow through the weekend. The Tetons and Wasatch grab this cold air on Friday/Saturday with a freshening (3-7) of low density snow. Cold air will be infiltrating the Rockies. New Englandgrabs an isolated 6-10 inches late Wednesday night through Thursday especially from North Conway through Central Maine (Sunday River).
NW/North flow and cold air can do wonders for Bridger Bowl who continuous to mystify my forecasts. Models show light snow a sure bet Friday night through Sunday. Total amounts could approach 4-9 inches (No single deep event) of cold smoke but good prolonged light moisture. TheWasatch including lower valleys near Park City will see light snow Friday night through Saturday night. Amount look to be in the 3-6 inch range. Some spots in the Cottonwoods could exceed that. Snow showers continue light into Sunday! The Extended forecast looks like it could get deep next weekend in the Wasatch?
Tetons will offer a freshening this weekend. Cold front reaches the Tetons on Friday with light snow likely through Saturday morning. NOAA is calling for 4-8 in this time frame. I am going more conservative with 2-5 by Saturday mid day. Grand Targhee can sometimes do better under NW flow which exists Friday night. Winds shift on Saturday to the N, NE, which favors central Wyoming and Colorado (Not good for the Tetons). Models are advertising moderate snow Saturday night and Sunday under Westerly Flow. Sunday deserves watching for 1st chairs! Cold front will be stalled over the Teton Valley with light snow continuing (3-7 low density).
COLORADO: Very complex system (3 pieces of this storm) with models jumping to different conclusions. What we know for sure is that Colorado will see an excess of 1 foot in many locations East of the Divide from Rocky Mountain National Park to the East slopes of the Central and southern mountains. 06Z GFS shows a good push of moisture in NW Colorado near the Utah border Friday night which drops to the 4 corners early Saturday (Crested Butte, Silverton). I expect a wide area of light to moderate snowfall in these areas with cooling temperatures (North San Juans- 3-6). The Front Range of Colorado develops the deepest moisture Friday night and during the day Saturday (9-12). The big question? Where will the deepest snow be found? I am very bullish for Eldora (9-13) and moderately confident for areas along the Divide, through Summit County under North, Northeast Flow Saturday (6-10 with localized higher amounts). Areas towards Aspen through Vail will see snowfall Saturday in the 3-6 inch range. Light snow continues near the Divide Saturday night so Sunday could bring a freshening. Cold air drops into Central ColoradoSaturday PM, and brings heavy snowfall to areas south of Denver including the mountains near the Springs (11-18). Monarch may end up with good snow by Sunday morning on the fringe of the deepest amounts to the East? Chases should bear watching for the Front Range Saturday (Loveland, Eldora, A Basin, Winter Park, Summit County) and perhaps the central or southern mountains on Sunday. The 3rd and final wave moves into the San Juans Sunday night and Monday with light to moderate snow likely from Durango to Wolf Creek (3-8). In a nutshell, by Monday, all ski areas in Colorado will be reporting new snowfall with the highest expected closest to the Front Range from Fort Collins to CO Springs (Saturday/Sunday). Long term outlook might bring significant snowfall west of the Divide next weekend.
