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[Forecast courtesy of Powderchasers]

SHORT TERM: Light snow is falling over much of central and northern Montana this morning. Snow will pick up in southern zones this morning and work its way into central Idaho, and the Tetons by mid morning. Light to moderate snow will persist for much of the week over some spots of the northern Rockies that will add up nicely to between 15-22 inches some areas by Saturday. The Sierra grabs a decent system by Thursday-Saturday that comes in 2 pieces with warm air followed by colder temperatures late bringing a chase likely for 2-3 feet through Saturday.

FORECAST: Light to moderate snow will fall over much of Montana, central Idaho and the Tetons today. Resorts such as Big Sky and Bridger Bowl might be worth chasing for last chair today (3-8) and again for first chair Wednesday (Additional 2-5). Chase to the Tetons during Wednesday as moderate snow will be falling from late today through Wednesday evening (8-12). There will be no single 12 hour deep dump with an extended period of persistent light or moderate cold pow that adds up over the next several day. There might be a decrease in intensity (Flurries) Wednesday night or Thursday morning only to be followed by another decent surge of moisture Thursday afternoon and night. Late Thursday or early Friday will be good days to chase with an additional 5-10 inches likely. Total snowfall through Friday should be in the 12-20 inch range (Even spread of light to moderate powder days). Temps stay cold so density will be light with some hints of crust or bump layers below the new snow initially this week (Light density). Winds are westerly initially putting a good even spread of moderate pow for Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole (I might favor Grand Targhee somewhat earlier this week). Southwest winds Thursday/Friday might favor Jackson?” “it’s the sum totals of the week that I like best versus any single overnight dump.”

Resorts in central Idaho will deserve watching however I don’t think more than 4-7 inches will fall in some spots near Brundage or in the areas to the East through the week. Sun Valley will grab light snow teasers each day freshening up conditions nicely by Thursday (Higher amounts near Stanley).

Colorado gets light or moderate leftovers favoring the northern areas near Steamboat early this weekend with much higher amounts next week.

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Total snowfall through Saturday evening over MT, WY, ID | Image: Weather Bell

The Sierra earns another moderate Atmospheric River event with models trending slightly down on amounts since we posted on Sunday. Snow will be falling over much of the Sierra late Wednesday night through Thursday afternoon above 7,000 feet (Mixed precipitation at some base elevations). Expect good turns for mid day chairs Thursday (6-10) and better chairs late Friday or early Saturday. Most resorts should have a foot of pow by late Thursday (Upper elevations) before a brief break in the action until mid Friday/Saturday. Resorts like Kirkwood, Squaw, Sugar Bowl, Mount Rose and Mammoth may benefit from higher elevations.

A second pice of energy with colder air slams the Sierra late Friday through early Saturday. Expect better chases and another 9-15 inches likely (colder). Weekly totals (Both systems) will be in the 15-22 inch range for most resorts in the northern Sierra. “3 foot totals at peaks especially Mammoth and the Sierra Crest will be likely by late Saturday.

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Total snowfall through Saturday evening | Image: Weather Bell

EXTENDED FORECAST:

The Friday system in the Sierra will likely drag over the Wasatch and Tetons Friday night and Saturday with moderate amounts! The extended models show decent pushes of moisture into BC, Cascades and most of Idaho by Saturday morning. The Pacific northwest stands a chance of a refresh this weekend that migrates over the northern Rockies early next week (Decent amounts likely for Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado).

“I think some spots of the northern Rockies will have 7-10 day totals in the 20-40 inch range by early next week with a good migration of powder beginning in the Wasatch and Colorado in the extended forecast”

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