Report From Powderchasers
Pacific Northwest: Rain at lower and mid elevations this week transitions to all snow by Friday. Light to moderate snowfall likely Friday/Saturday over the Cascade ranges (Cold temperatures and continuous light- moderate snowfall). Whistler may see higher amounts of dense snow by Thursday with rain at the bases (7-12 up high). By Sunday most areas in the northwest will report decent snow totals from the previous 3 days with colder temperatures.
Sierra: Warm system due Friday/Saturday brings dense moderate snowfall to most of the Sierra range (Mixed precipitation at lower elevations 9-15 upper). Temps cool on Saturday increasing quality. The real action begins early Sunday through Monday when very cold air and strong winds usher in heavy snowfall (14-25 inches). Most of the Sierra range will report decent numbers with higher amounts in the southern Sierra (Mammoth). This will be a very cold system and likely hoist our Epic Alert by Monday morning..Winds could be an issue with some lifts Sunday and 2-3 inch per hour snowfall rates. Snow showers continue Monday! Last chair Sunday or 1st chair Monday will bring you the “White Room”. Storm totals from Friday-Monday will be in the 2-4 feet range (highest in the south).
Rockies: Models show moisture increasing over northern Idaho, interior BC, and NW Montana late Thursday (heavy snowfall likely). Colder air drops south and increases snowfall over central and southern Idaho early Friday (Sun Valley- Haley could see 9-12 inches). The Tetons get into the action Friday mid morning through Saturday with perhaps 6-10 inches for early lifts at JHMR or Targhee. Snow continues light through Saturday in the Tetons with heavier amounts later in the weekend staying south towards the Wasatch or 4 corners.
The Wasatch in Utah will see moderate snow late Friday through Saturday morning. Moisture increases with a cold front on Saturday AM and ramps up snow totals by late in the day (Storm ski-deep powder, 2-3 inch per hour with cold front due in the early morning). Action will ramp up again Monday/Tuesday for the Wasatch range (Moderate amounts likely) as the main low passes from the Southern Sierra towards the 4 corners. Higher snow totals will be found in central and southern Utah. The peak snowfall intensity should be Saturday and again Monday/Tuesday. Totals will be 2 feet plus in the upper elevations (Cottonwoods) Park City resorts should range in the 9-12 inch range through the period and areas near Snowbasin and Powder could be higher?
Colorado grabs light action Friday night in the northern mountains which turns heavy into Saturday morning. Cold air orographics could land some decent numbers in most of the Central and northern mountain ranges (Aspen, Vail, Crested Butte, Steamboat, Breckenridge) through Saturday night. That moisture drops south into the 4 corners in the afternoon so it will be showing into Sunday in the southern zones. Moisture increases again late Sunday night into Monday favoring the 4- Corners. Taos, Arizona Snowbowl, Silverton, Purgatory and Wolf Creek may all be big winners! . Moisture will also be falling in the central and northern mountain with less amounts to the north and perhaps higher near Monarch or Gunnison (Models show decent moisture but with non favorable wind direction). Northerly wind direction could provide very high snow totals for areas along the Continental Divide as well as the Denver Metro area on Tuesday. Expect significant impacts in the Denver Metro area late Monday into Tuesday. Front range resorts along I-70 could be deep.
Powderchaser Steve