Report From Powderchasers.com
Significant snowfall will be falling this week especially in the Sierra Tuesday-Thursday and again next weekend. Amounts in the Sierra will most likely exceed 5-7 feet by late in the weekend above 7,000 feet. The Rockies will grab decent leftovers with a consistent fetch of light to moderate snow through Saturday. Many areas in Utah and Colorado will exceed 12-18 inches this week with a persistent fetch of moderate events.
Monday-Tuesday (“THE TEASE BEFORE THE STORM”)
SIERRA-OREGON
All eyes turn to the Sierra, Wasatch, and most of Colorado this week. Light to moderate snow will be falling over the Sierra on Monday with perhaps 5-10 inches by late Monday, especially in the northern areas of the Tahoe Basin. We think Sugar Bowl, Squaw, Alpine Meadows should do well even at lower elevations. The caveat is strong winds on Monday may incur lift holds. Chases will be good for storm skiing Monday especially northern Lake resorts or along I-80. Low snow levels will present good quality offerings (Aside from the wind). First chair will be decent with last chair even better as snow intensity will be moderate throughout the day in the 6-12 inch range (The real deal comes on Wednesday). Central or southern Oregon resorts should also be seeing 5-10 inches by Monday morning especially Mount Bachelor.
UTAH, WYOMING, COLORADO, NEW MEXICO
Utah will grab 4-8 inches between Sunday night and late Monday. I think that resorts in the north may be slightly favored (Snowbasin, Powder, Beaver, Whisper Ridge Cat skiing). Resorts near Park City grab 2-4, and the Cottonwoods 3-7. The Tetons also will benefit from light to moderate snow through Monday (3-6) on top of a consistent fetch of teasers all week (Deep pockets in spots will still be found in the Tetons). Don’t expect any single deep dump but a consistent fetch of light or moderate snow. Colorado gets in the action early this week with light snow likely in many areas but nothing stands out to me for a chase until late Wednesday-Saturday as snow increases (Keep reading)..
Wednesday-Friday
Significant uptick of moisture will occur in the Sierra Tuesday evening through Wednesday!Models have not been consistent with snow levels or exact track of this prolonged event. Currently the focus appears to be most Lake Tahoe and north for Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. Heavy snow will be falling in all areas including Mammoth (Southern areas) Wednesday afternoon through Thursday. If you chase, expect 2 feet of snow in many spots above 7,000 feet.by late Wednesday or early Thursday! You may focus on a chase in the northern Sierra Wednesday morning and the southern Sierra for Thursday? Snow levels will be rising somewhat increasing Avalanche danger. Snow showers will be continuing into Friday. Totals will likely exceed 30 inches in many areas through Friday!
That system spreads a wide area of light to moderate snow from the Wasatch of Utah into most of Colorado late Wednesday-Friday. The highlights may include the Wasatch Wednesday night-Thursday. Colorado grabs decent events Wednesday night and again Thursday night (Decent 1st chair days Thursday and Friday). I can’t nail down specific resorts in the short term but suspect many areas grab 8-15 inches or more during this period. The systems late in the week might favor the 4 corners as moisture drops further south including New Mexico. Higher amounts will be found in the weekly totals since light or moderate snow will be starting early this week. We will issue a chase update as the models come into consensus.
EXTENDED OUTLOOK:
Significant system is showing up on the models for the Sierra next weekend. “An atmospheric river event will likely set up bringing several more feet of snow to California late Friday-Sunday! This will be addressed in a later chase post. ” Expect 7 day totals in the Sierra from this Monday through next week to be in the 5-7 feet range or more”
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