Report From: Powderchasers
Synopsis: Check what resorts are open before venturing out. Snow is falling over the Sierra and Cascades this morning. Automated SNOTEL data over at Mount Baker ski area is showing 8-9 inches overnight (web or social media not available). Elsewhere in the PNW 3-5 inches has fallen at Crystal and 3-4 at Stevens per SNOWTEL as few official reports are available this morning. “The upcoming week looks deep especially over coastal BC, Cascades (West and East) and perhaps the Sierra by Sunday morning!” “The Rockies grab the leftovers with a persistent stream of light to moderate events that may add up nicely into next week.
The Chase: My attention is on the Pacific Northwest (Crystal opens Friday) where moderate snow will taper this morning and redevelop tonight and and Thanksgiving day. Moderate snow will be falling above 3500 feet (Near the base of many resorts) and be heavy at times through Friday (Short break perhaps late on Turkey day). The highlights include most of the western Cascades, Coastal BC, extending into northeast Washington and Idaho. 10-20 inches are likely in the western Cascades and 7-14 are likely in spots in the NE extending into northern Idaho (Above 4,000). Mount Baker should easily tip the scales on the higher side where areas in the central or southern Cascades could see less? Schweizer with warmer temps could gab 4-8 inches up top for Turkey Day. Mount Hood in Oregon will fare deep by Friday (12-16). “From the Northwest chase to the southern Sierra where snow will be falling heavily by Sunday morning.” The Rockies could grab several freshening events taking a chase to Colorado or Utah by early next week?
“The Sierra will get deep especially by Sunday morning when snow will be falling moderately in many areas.” The pacific northwest low drags south along the coast and sweeps inland at some point late Saturday night (Most likely just after midnight). Moderate snow will be falling into Sunday at all base elevations with some heavier amounts towards the summits (9-12 north, 12-18 south). It’s possible that areas towards
Mammoth will be favored as the low centers itself on the southern areas of the Sierra. It’s hard to nail down exact amounts this far out but resorts in the south lake or towards Mono County could fare better than the north. “It’s all going to depend on where that low pushes onshore as models can change this far out”
Rockies: Snowbird reported 15 inches from the last storm (SNOWTEL showed 8-10 at mid mountain) as a decent fetch of freshies extended into Park City (7 inches on the SNOWTEL). The San Juans were the winners with 10-15 inches reported at many spots in southern Colorado and 4-8 elsewhere. “The next system will begin over central Idaho and southern Montana Wednesday (Light amounts), and extend into the Tetons and Wasatch Wednesday night.” Expect a wide area of 2-5 inches with this system and higher amounts possible for the Wasatch where 7-9 inches are likely to fall through early Thursday. Colorado will be freshening on Turkey day with a quick hit of 2-5 inches in the northern mountains (I-70 near Vail Pass or north to Steamboat may be favored).
Extended: The main low from the Sierra drops into Arizona (moderate snow likely). Light to occasionally moderate snow showers will continue in the Pacific Northwest through Saturday(Colder temperatures and high quality) That migrates waves of light to perhaps moderate snow into central Idaho, Tetons, southern Montana and Colorado on Sunday with westerly flow.
“A final even colder fetch of moisture will arrive in the Northwest Sunday night (Moderate snowfall).”. That zips across the Rockies late Monday/Tuesday. That system while not very moist should deliver some freshening with cold air orographics and areas favored by NW flow. We think the Wasatch or perhaps northern Colorado may stand the best chance due to higher elevations to pick up light to moderate drier density snowfall from this event. “While no single dump in the rockies stands out this week the sum total of all moisture in the next 7 days could be decent”
