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screen-shot-2016-11-20-at-1-57-54-pmReport From Powderchasers.com

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Synopsis:

Light to moderate snow is currently falling over the northern Sierra. Squaw reported 4, Mount Rose at 6-9 with wind holds (Rose is open).  That system is dropping south over southern California today (LA will see rain) and swings back up through Arizona and Colorado late Sunday night through Tuesday.   Moderate to heavy snow is likely over the San Juans of Colorado, West central Colorado, and northern New Mexico above 8500 feet.  “If resorts were open or you choose to Skin on a thin base) I would be chasing to Wolf Creek, Brian Head, Silverton, Purgatory and perhaps even Crested Butte or Beaver Creek early this week.”

Details:

Another 2-5 inches may fall today over the Sierra before it quickly heads south over southern California.   Snow will increase tonight over Arizona (Flagstaff may see 2-4 inches) and the southern San Juans of Colorado and northern New Mexico.  Southwest flow keeps snow levels high initially (8500-9,000 feet) before dropping late Monday.  Expect 5-10 inches at most resorts in southern Colorado into Monday evening above 8500 feet.  Brian Head in Southern Utah (They posted a foot of powder last week on Facebook- Not verified) should grab another 4-6 inches. Taos is a wildcard with models showing decent snow albeit wind direction less favorable (1-2 inches base- 3-6 summit- wildcard). SW flow will push snowfall into the mountain ranges near Grand Junction and as far north as southern Routt County (Steamboat could sneak up some more powder on Monday under SW flow).   Telluride likes a wind direction from the N-NW with powerful orographics that may overcome the handicap that brings light to moderate snowfall to most of the mountain Monday.  Snow will continue in the south into Monday night albeit lighter as winds shift to the West/Northwest pushing moisture into Crested Butte, Aspen, and western Eagle County (Beaver Creek). An uptick of moisture continues into Tuesday morning up north.

Wasatch and Tetons:

Leftovers from the splitting trough kick into most of northern Utah (3-4 inches) and the Tetons (3-6) on Monday/Tuesday. Long term forecasts look good for these areas (Keep reading).

Northern Colorado:

Monday night and Tuesday will see an uptick of snowfall into central and northern Colorado (Winds are shifting to the West).  Expect a wide area of 5-8 inches especially Beaver Creek, Crested Butte (May see higher amounts), Aspen, and perhaps Vail (Wildcard due to eastern Eagle County).   Winds eventually turn to the North so areas along the Continental Divide, Summit County will see light or moderate snow by Tuesday morning (Not expecting more than 2-4 inches here).

The GOOD NEWS:   Its snowing in many areas of the west!   THE BETTER NEWS:Long term models show a steady stream of low pressure systems each with more moisture parading into the West in the next 7-10 days.  We will issue a detailed long term forecast on Monday.  The Cascades will be winners but the Wasatch, Tetons, and most of Idaho and Colorado are in the mix.

Forecaster: Powderchaser Steve

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