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Report From Powderchasrs

Happy Friday everyone!

Todays big news!  The East may be beating the West!  It’s snowing again at the upper elevations of New England with 10 inches of POW reported overnight at Killington thats open with a 16 inch base. Some Unofficial reports claim 15-25 inches at summit locations at some resorts over the past week (Perhaps Jay Peak or Stowe).

Synopsis: My confidence is high for a decent dump for the Sierra especially Sunday AM/PM.   Models have backed off slightly on amounts with our best estimate of 6-12 inches at upper elevations and 2-5 at the base areas. The system will pack tight gradients and a decent cold front moving quickly through the Sierra on Sunday.  Snow levels will plummet to lake level by Sunday morning. This will have all the ingredients of a mid winter storm (Cold air, Wind, decent moisture).  The downside is that it is a fast mover so amounts will just tip the scales of our powder alert.

Total snowfall through Monday. Map: Weatherbell

Total snowfall through Monday. Map: Weatherbell

This storm will be preceded by a very moist system today and tonight with 1-2 inches of moisture and snow levels as high as 10,500 feet (Rain at most elevations).  We feel that Mammoth or perhaps Mount Rose could slip some surprise freshness at the summits today or tonight as temperatures will be close to freezing with a mixed bag of precipitation up high.  Keep reading for the Sierra as storm #2 moves below (colder and deeper).

Meanwhile in the Rockies everyone is playing the wait game as storms thus far have focussed in the north.  The next round of moisture will arrive tonight (The warm system currently in CA) and spread showers to most areas with the exception of the Tetons, Big Horns, and Wind River Range.   Snow will break out tonight near Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Targhee above 9500 feet (Upper elevations only).  Expect 2-4 inches in those locations, and perhaps 6-10 inches closer to central Wyoming (Big Horns). Some light snow is also likely over southern Montana through Saturday.  “I’m not sure it’s worth the hike on Saturday morning but there will be a light coating of dense freshies to be had up high in the Tetons”.  I’m sticking to biking in Park City or perhaps heading south to Moab. Keep reading as your next powder day will arrive on Monday!

 Sunday/Monday

After a break on Saturday, the Sierra comes under the gun with a fast moving cold system moving in with Westerly flow over the Sierra.  Models downtrended slightly from yesterday but confidence is high of 6-12 inches over the higher elevations. Low elevation snow is likely to lake level (2-3) during the day Sunday.  Travel impacts over Sierra passes will be found in many areas (Light slush). Strong winds will cause drifting at the summits.

That system edges over central Idaho, northern Utah Sunday afternoon (Light snow likely in many areas).  This takes aim over Wyoming Sunday/Monday with a westerly flow (Good for the Tetons).  “Snow will be falling above 6,000 feet in the Tetons bringing moderate amounts to mid and upper elevations of Wyoming (5-8)”.  Total upper elevation snowfall in the Tetons from both storms will be higher.  Southern Montana is on our wildcard list for a decent shot at 3-6 inches for Big Sky or perhaps Bridger (Caveat is that winds are more westerly and they prefer N, NW).

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