[Forecast courtesy of Powderchasers.com]
Snow is falling over the Sierra where a wide area of 2-5 inches of wet snow has fallen in many areas above 7,000 feet. A cold front will swing east today enhancing snowfall over the northern Rockies with highlights over central Idaho (Brundage) where up to a foot of snow should fall through Saturday afternoon. Moderate snow will be found on the northern end of Ketchum towards Galena Summit and Stanley. Sun Valley should see light or moderate amounts at the summits through Saturday morning.
Related: NOAA Just Issued Its 2017-2018 Winter Outlook | ‘La Niña Likely To Develop’
Significant snow is also likely in most mountain ranges of Oregon and Washington. Convergence zones have set up this morning near Stevens Pass where snow is falling to the bases. Expect 8-11 inches in the central/northern Cascades of Washington and similar amounts over Mt Hood or Mt Bachelor in Oregon. Cold air and decent moisture should produce some impressive amounts before warmer air moves in Saturday/Sunday.
All action moves into The Tetons over the next 48 hours where 4-9 inches are likely favoring the northern areas of the mountain ranges (Northern ends of Teton National Park). We expect Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to see 3-6 inches through Friday night and continued snow showers through the weekend. “It’s possible that 5-10 inches could be found at upper elevations of these resorts through Sunday morning but it’s going to come in waves beginning late today through the weekend.” Temperatures will be running well below normal through the weekend and higher snow totals will be found in the northern ranges of the Tetons.
Colorado gets leftovers favoring the central and northern mountains (*Steamboat) Friday night and Saturday (2-4 inches).
Extended Powder Forecast:
Heavy snow in the Pacific Northwest trends to warmer conditions this weekend in Oregon, Washington, and BC. Expect increasing snow levels to the summits or higher in most areas that should bring moderate to heavy rainfall and perhaps some upper elevations snow this weekend. That moisture weakens as it moves east over the northern Rockies producing snow showers at higher elevations of Idaho/Wyoming, Next week shows a return to high pressure for most of the west with a chance of colder air and some moisture returning to eastern Wyoming and perhaps the Front Range of Colorado by late week.
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Forecaster: Powderchaser Steve | 10/20/17 | @powderchasersteve
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