Report From Powderchasers.com
Happy New Year everyone!
I am currently posting from Park City Utah where temperatures have been bitter cold in the mornings (Negative 8-11) and warming into the low teens by afternoon. Coverage in the Wasatch is fantastic for this time of year and no ones complaining! Conditions in other areas of the Rockies have held up nicely due to cold temperatures and plenty of snowfall just prior to Christmas (MT, ID, UT, WY, CO, NM). My social media director skied Jackson on New Years day and found untracked knee deep powder in the hike terrain know as “The “Crags”
The weather gods gave us a break in the past 7 days but are bringing in the New Year with a return to “You guessed it” the Sierra in the spotlight next week as well as the southern portions of the 4 corners (Wildcards). Some snow will be falling midweek in the Wasatch and the Tetons (Light freshening).
Sierra Powder Alert! Stoke factor- 7/10- High
Most models continue to gain confidence of 2-3 feet of snowfall next week especially in the southern Sierra. There are 3 systems moving in beginning late Sunday night. This will provide much needed moisture for the coast of California (San Fran, LA, San Diego). Moisture drops south Monday with light snow falling over the Sierra during the day. Most moisture is limited in the mountains (2-4) as most energy skims along the coast before heading inland further south. Big Bear might be a good pic for Monday?
The 2nd system moves in late Monday night into Tuesday (Storm Ski) and will provide higher amounts of snowfall to most of the Sierra range. Currently our analysis shows the highest amounts over the southern sierra with respectable amounts further north. My best guestimate is by last chair at Mammoth you might see 7-11 inches with light snow continuing Tuesday night. After a brief break Wednesday morning snow increases in the afternoon (Storm #3) and continues into Thursday morning (Additional 5-10 northern and southern Sierra). Light to moderate snow will continue towards the end of the week providing respectable weekly totals (2-3 feet). While no single event might exceed 12 inches conditions over the Sierra will be freshening all week.
Rockies/Southwest: Stoke Factor moderate.
Light snow from the southern CA system provides moderate to heavy rain/snow to central Arizona on Monday. Light to moderate snow will be falling at Arizona Snowbowl (3-5) into Tuesday morning (Deepest moisture is just south of Flagstaff). Areas near Tucson might see higher amounts. Northern NM and Southern Colorado reap light to moderate amounts by Tuesday morning (3-5 perhaps higher amounts near the New Mexico border- Taos).
The next system moves in late Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Moderate snow will be falling over northern Arizona (4-7) and extend into the southern Colorado S. Utah, and northern New Mexico (3-5) by Wednesday morning. With SW flow your best pics (Moderate amounts) might beWolf Creek or Taos with Silverton on the northern edge (Likes SW flow). No single deep event is likely with sum totals continuing to improve with periodic light or moderate snowfall.
The Wasatch and Tetons get into the action Wednesday morning with light snow falling from Grand Targhee, JHMR, through to Park City and the Cottonwoods (Freshening 3-5).
Light snow continues in the 4 corners through Thursday morning (Additional 2-5 inches by lift opening) and intensifies in the afternoon (Taos might do best Thursday/Friday) with a wind shift to the West. West winds will provide a boost in moisture Statewide in Colorado. Areas from Taos, Crested butte, Monarch through to Aspen Beaver Creek could reap moderate rewards during the day Thursday. Winds shift to the North by Friday morning bringing an increase of snowfall to the continental divide to resorts closest to Denver (Moderate amounts).
Chases? Monday- Tuesday– Big Bear, Tuesday– Southern-central Sierra, Wednesday- Sierra range, Thursday– Northern Arizona, Wolf Creek, Taos, Silverton, Purgatory, Monarch, Western I-70 corridor late. Friday– Loveland, Winter Park, Eldora