POWDER ALERT – CASCADES – BC, TUE/WED. POWDER WATCH- SIERRA THURSDAY PM
Report From Powderchasers.com
December 1, 2015
Synopsis:
A very active week will stream moisture into the Pacific Northwest every 24 hours through early next week. Atmospheric river event sets up late week bringing warmer temperatures, 20-25 foot coastal waves, gale force winds and high elevation snow. Cold air will bring snow to all bases tonight and early Wednesday before a warming trend occurs late week. Snow will be falling at mid to upper mountain ranges through the period with rain at the bases late week. The Sierra get a quick 5-10 inches Thursday afternoon through Friday morning. The Rockies stay in a tranquil pattern.
CASCADES:
Moderate to heavy snow will be falling tonight and Wednesday above 4,000 feet. Most areas will see 6-11 inches with perhaps slightly higher amounts in the southern Cascades. The Eastern Cascades of Washington will nab 4-8 inches. The Panhandle of Idaho 3-6. A break in the action occurs on Wednesday with another system due on Thursday. That will bring snow levels up to 5,000 slowly rising to 6,000 feet (Lowering snow levels at night). Whistler may stay under colder air with heavy snow likely on Thursday (1500 Meter snow level) benefiting from slightly higher elevation summits (6-10 inches). Interior BC should nab moderate amounts at upper elevations.
Significant moisture continues on Saturday/Sunday (5,000 foot snow levels) with a cooling trend for late Sunday into Monday (3500-4,000 foot snow levels). Upper mountain might ski well with rain at the bases. By late Sunday/Monday snow should be falling at all elevations.
SIERRA:
We are confident that snow will be falling by Thursday morning in many areas of the Sierra. Snow intensifies late morning through the afternoon before diminishing early Friday. Currently models depict 5-10 inches. The northern mountains might see slightly higher amounts. Southern areas slightly less. This is a quick moving system with decent moisture so perhaps last chair on Thursday or first chair on Friday is your best bet?
ROCKIES: The Rockies will not benefit much from the Pacific storms. Some light snow is likely over the Tetons and perhaps the Wasatch late in the week. The next best shot of snow looks to be over the Tetons by the middle of next week.