[Forecast courtesy of Powderchasers]
Update 2/15/18 PM report
What a day! OMG, finally the deep blower landed in many spots with my wake up call at 2:30AM pinpointing Aspen Highlands that took my chase from Boulder arriving way too early (7AM) after driving through heavy snow especially near Copper Mountain this morning on I-70. Highlands Bowl was easily 18 inches deep where my 2 laps were the best I have had all season. Schools were cancelled in Aspen however the slopes were empty! Heavy snow fell in the Wasatch with 13-18 inches being reported in the Cottonwoods, and similar amounts at the Canyons. I mention “Canyons” versus PCMR since they do well with NW flow and the connected Park City does best with S or SW flow. Therefore, you can bet 9990 was epic today if it opened? The amounts I am mentioning are from snow telemetry and unofficial.
Jackson Hole and Grand Targhee logged the best day of the season with 13-15 inches by 10AM (Blower cold pow). More snow is on the way this weekend!
Steamboat reported a few inches Thursday morning only to update to 11 inches by 1PM. It’s still snowing at Steamboat!
Snow showers will continue into the evening especially over Colorado where it is snowing moderately per snow cameras along I-70. Those snow showers will decrease after midnight. Look for some overnight powder and refresh opportunities for Friday morning (Still snowing lightly in the Cottonwoods in Utah). General amounts will most likely be 3-6 inches.
There are so many details for the upcoming weekend that I will summarize below.
Moderate snow moves into The Cascades Friday (Stevens favored 8-10, 4-8 Crystal). Mid day or last chair will be best. Snow will increase over the WA and Oregon Cascades on Saturday around daybreak with a strong low pressure system brining 12-20 inches through Sunday (Strong winds likely initially and perhaps Sunday (Post frontal unstable air). Expect storm skiing Saturday with heavy amounts by last chair. Moderate snow continues at times through Sunday before tapering Monday. Oregon who really needs snow should see decent amounts (12-16) with up to 2 feet in Washington.
The Panhandle of Idaho scores moderate snow Friday continuing at times through Saturday morning (North favored Friday as most moisture drops south Saturday).The Panhandle scores heavy snowfall focusing from Schweitzer and south (Southern areas near Lookout Pass will see the highest amounts) Saturday-Sunday. Other hot spots will include most of north central Montana (Whitefish, Montana Snowbowl) where a foot or more will be waiting for your 1st chair Sunday. Significant snow totals will exist by late Sunday night. Big Sky and Bridger are wildcards.
The Tetons see 4-5 inches every 12-15 hours beginning late Friday. Snow increases Saturday night and Sunday with heavy amounts for Sunday morning. Winds will be strong Sunday morning so expect lots of AVY control work, variable conditions at the summits but epic at lower or mid elevations. Temps will be warmer than the last storm with medium density (Possibly heavier at the base), covering all slopes. No rain, and good bonding will occur on lower slopes with great coverage on the lower faces that needed some snow at JHMR. Blower may return on Sunday as temps cool.
The Wasatch earns moderate or heavy snow Sunday-Tuesday. The models show most snow Sunday in the far northern areas (Beaver Mountain, Logan, perhaps northern Wasatch). Snow and colder temps drop south Sunday night or Monday morning enhancing snow for Park City and areas south. This storm will also present good totals for the southern Wasatch near Sundance.
Colorado grabs deep leftovers in a similar pattern to our last storm. Moisture drops from north to south late Sunday night into Monday morning (Steamboat may report decent snow by 9AM) Heavier snow happens during the day Monday with snow showers continuing into Tuesday. Both Monday late AM and Tuesday will offer good powder days for most of Colorado. The western areas may be favored (Steamboat, Aspen, Powderhorn, Telluride, Wolf Creek, Beaver Creek, Copper). Models show 1-2 feet possible in some isolated spots. All mountain locations will earn respectable snowfall in Colorado especially Monday/Tuesday.
– Powderchaser Steve
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