POWDER ALERT: NORTH SIERRA, ID, WY, MT, UT, CO

Photo Credit: | Cover Photo: Grand Targhee Facebook Page — *Photo Credit: Anthony Quintano | Cover Photo: Grand Targhee Facebook Page*

POWDER ALERT- NORTH SIERRA, ID, WY, MT, UT, CO

March 21, 2016 9AM MST

Synopsis: Very warm temperatures today are providing a tease of nearly summer like conditions in the Rockies. Moderate snow and much colder temperatures will be moving in late today for Sierra and over the Rockies by Tuesday morning. The Pacific Northwest is in a wet pattern with snow levels expected to lower each day. Snowfall will be continues every 24 hours at the upper peaks this week (Light to moderate at times). Snow levels plummet to 2500 feet by late week with perhaps some deeper amounts for the weekend (We will update the Cascades report in the next few days).

Sierra

Light rain at the bases will turn to all snow late today. Steady snow likely this evening above 7,000 feet. Models are pumping out 5-9 inches with perhaps higher amounts in north. Areas along Interstate 80 or north may see 7-11 inches.

*Beaver Mountain Utah- 2-3 feet of powder logged last week. | Photo Credit: Beaver Mountain Facebook Page*

Idaho, Wyoming, Utah

Snow will be falling over the higher peaks of central and northern Idaho tonight. Areas that do well with Westerly flow from Brundage and north could pick up decent amounts for Tuesday morning. The Panhandle of Idaho will see moderate to heavy snow favoring areas from Interstate 90 and south. Areas to the north still nab snowfall with lower amounts possible?

The Tetons will grab some light rain at the base late Monday (Some light snow at the peaks) followed by light snowfall by midnight. Moderate snowfall will be falling at all elevations in the Tetons Tuesday morning with amounts in the 7-10 inch range by late in the day (Upper elevations). A brief break on Wednesday transforms to a steady stream of light to moderate snow from Thursday to Saturday in the Tetons. It is likely that an additional 5-10 inches can fall later this week!

Montana has held back this season with several systems skirting to the south. This system should provide good moisture for Bridger and Big Sky especially on Tuesday where moderate snow will be falling.

The Wasatch nabs most snow with the passage of a cold front due Tuesday morning. 2-3 inches of wet snow are likely Monday might prior to the cold front in the Cottonwoods. Heavy snow will be falling along and behind this front along the entire Wasatch range. 5-9 inches are likely above 7,000 feet. Light snow will continue to fall Tuesday night. Total snowfall by Wednesday morning will range in the 9-14 inch range in the Cottonwoods and perhaps 5-10 inch range elsewhere above 7,000 feet.

*Total snowfall through Wednesday afternoon | Photo Credit: GFS Map- WX Bell*

Thursday-Saturday brings another cold front into the Cascades (Moderate or heavy snow likely) that drops directly through northern Idaho, Montana (NW flow could spell deeper rewards for Bridger Bowl), and eventually the Tetons, Wasatch (wildcard) and Most of Colorado late week. This could spell for some deep snowfall in many areas? Updates will follow on Powderchasers as this will be an active week ahead.

Colorado

Colorado is in for an active week. Snow will be falling Tuesday night starting in the northern mountains (Steamboat, Vail, Summit) and transition to the central mountains early Wednesday morning (Crested Butte). 5-10 inches are likely by early Wednesday morning (1st chair could be $$). Westerly winds and colder air should kick decent snow from Crested Butte through to Aspen through mid day Wednesday however amounts might come up short of of the I-70 corridor? NW flow kicks in Wednesday night through Thursday morning with cold air orographics (Terrain forcing of cold air and moisture forming at upper elevations). Decent amounts may be found for Thursday morning depending on orograpics so look for another powder day especially along I-70 and north (Vail Pass can reap deeper rewards). Wildcards are Breckenridge, Beaver Creek and Winter Park.

Maybe a little bit of this at the Beav? | Photo Credit: Beaver Creek Facebook Page

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