By now you’ve heard about the apocalyptic storm on our doorstep. You’ve also heard about the high snow levels. What are the potential scenarios?
POTENTIAL SQUAW STORM SCENARIOS:
1. Stuck skiing in the RAIN.
- Upper mountain closed due to forecasted 100+ mph winds
- Snow levels at 7,500 feet
- Squaw skiers left to ski in the RAIN on Red Dog, Squaw Creek, and KT-22
2. SAVED by Granite Chief
- Somehow, the winds aren’t too bad and Squaw is able to open the Funitel, Gold Coast, Shirley Lake & Granite Chief
- Granite and Shirley are above the 7,500 foot snow line
- Squaw Skiers bask in amazing free-refill Valhalla of a perfect Granite Chief storm day
STORM FORECAST FOR SQUAW from NOAA.gov:
…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TUESDAY TO 11 AM PDT WEDNESDAY…
* TIMING: SNOW WILL REACH THE NORTHERN SIERRA CREST EARLY TUESDAY MORNING…WITH A PERIOD OF MODERATE TO HEAVY SNOW MAINLY NEAR THE CREST TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY MORNING. RAIN WILL MIX WITH SNOW NEAR LAKE LEVEL TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING BEFORE CHANGE TO RAIN BY WEDNESDAY MORNING.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ALONG AND WEST OF HIGHWAY 89: 3 TO 6 INCHES… WITH 12 TO 24 INCHES ABOVE 7000 FEET. LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ALONG THE SIERRA CREST OF UP TO 30 INCHES.
* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS EAST OF HIGHWAY 89: 1 TO 3 INCHES…WITH 6 TO 12 INCHES ABOVE 7000 FEET.
* WINDS: SOUTHWEST 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 55 MPH TUESDAY AND TUESDAY EVENING…WITH WINDS DECREASING BY EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. SIERRA RIDGE GUSTS OVER 100 MPH.
* SNOW LEVELS: NEAR LAKE LEVEL TUESDAY RISING TO ABOVE 7000 FEET ON WEDNESDAY.