Report: Powderchasers
Synopsis: Strong low pressure moves into the Cascades today with heavy snowfall covering Washington -Oregon through Wednesday morning. That system picks up speed and brings decent dumps to SW Montana and perhaps Northern Wyoming through Wednesday. The Wasatch is on watch with our current forecast at 4-8 that could tip the scales depending on the cold air orographics that set up behind it. Colorado sees a wide area of 3-5 inches with higher amounts from Grand County (Winter Park), Estes Park, and the mountains north and West of Denver. Loveland or areas near the Divide and perhaps western Summit County might reap decent rewards Thursday/Friday.
DETAILS:
ROCKIES: Snow will be falling from Central Idaho into Southern Montana Wednesday. Ski areas like Big Sky, Red lodge mountain, Bridger stand a good chance of 7-11 inches through Wednesday night. Mountains just north of Boise and extending into Stanley look to reap light to moderate rewards so perhaps keep an eye on Sun Valley (Moisture looks good however wind direction from the north is unfavorable). Brundage might be just north of most of the action.CASCADES: Strong low pressure and a deep cold front from Alaska are headed into the Cascades today and tonight. Ski areas from Mount Baker through areas south into Oregon will be rejoicing as the first true freshness blankets the slopes through Wednesday morning. “Expect a wide area of 10-15 inches in the northern Cascades with lower amounts in the south.” All areas of the Washington Cascades will reap rewards with moderate snow falling in most higher elevations of Oregon as well.
Colorado gets snow Statewide early Thursday-Friday. A wide area of 3-6 inches will fall in many locations. NW Flow or W flow favors ares to the north so spots along I-70 including Aspen should benefit. The cold air extends into the south so expect snow in many areas of the San Juans especially Telluride who benefit with N or NW flow (Lighter amounts). “The heaviest snow will likely fall in Estes Park, Grand County (Winter Park), Eldora, Rocky Mountain National Park, Eisenhower Tunnel (Loveland) and perhaps western Summit County.” Expect higher amounts in these locations under Northerly flow behind the front with some upslope near the Front Range foothills.“The Tetons and Wasatch are wildcards.” Moisture in Wyoming will be heaviest just north of Teton National Park, Wind River Range, Cody Foothills and central sections of the State. Jackson and Grand Targhee will grab 4-7 inches and perhaps higher amounts with good West/Northwest Flow (Slightly better for Targhee). Most of the Wasatch above 7500 feet should grab 4-8 inches especially in the Cottonwoods with NW flow behind the initial moisture on late Wednesday/Thursday. Park City resorts will see low elevation snow (3-5). “Cold air orographics combined with NW flow could tip amounts higher in the Cottonwoods (8-11).” Some lake effect banding is possible with the cold air and warm water temperatures for November (That often will not pick up well on models so inserting the higher amounts at 30%).