Photo From Squaw Valley at around 5pm
Powderchasers.com
There is good and bad news for the Sierra:
My original forecast was in the 7-14 inch range for the Sierra.. Squaw had some wind holds today with between 3-6 inches of snow (Snowing moderately at the summit). Light snow will continue tonight in the Sierra with heavier amounts south towards Mammoth (7-11 inches by opening). The storm tracked further west and south and will impact the mountain areas in LA county by midnight. Some areas south and West of the Crest can see storm totals in the 11-15 inch range. Other areas like Squaw will be shadowed receiving lower amounts. General amounts in the Tahoe basin will be 6-11. Not quite the skunk factor but less than we hoped for.
CASCADES
The epic alert continues for the Cascades with heavy snow breaking out on Friday morning with low snow levels,and ”fluff mania” by late in the day and evening (Peak Powder from Friday Noon to 2AM Saturday- 11-18 inches). Significant moisture moves into Oregon late Friday. There will also be gusty winds with some lift closures possible Friday. northern and central Idaho get the brunt of moisture Friday night. southern Montana should see a good shot of snow Saturday morning (5-10) as well as the Tetons of Wyoming (keep reading).
COLORADO- 4 CORNERS OF NM/UT/AZ/CO
The storm track for the Wed/Thursday storm is taking a deep southerly path with a bullseye in central Arizona and New Mexico. Snow will develop by Wednesday morning over the 4 corners bringing the highest amounts to areas from Arizona Snowbowl and south. Areas near the New Mexico and Colorado border will see 8-10 inches by Thursday AM. Higher amounts will fall from Taos and south. The northern San Juan’s like Silverton and Telluride see lower amounts. On Thursday winds shift to the N, NW and should bring a quick 4-7 inches to most resorts along I-70 including Aspen. The models show light moisture continuing into Thursday night and early Friday(Might see another freshening along I-70).
TETONS-WASATCH
Any chase worthy snow that falls will primarily be from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning. The skunk factor is increasing here! The Tetons should see 3-6 inches by Thursday morning and perhaps storm totals of 6-10 in the Wasatch range. Lower elevations around Park City will see less (3-5). Thursday will be a powder day in many spots but don’t expect epic deep.
Saturday-Sunday – Rockies
The only Epic Alert for the weekend will be in the Cascades. The next storm for the Rockies this weekend is still decent. The latest models show the cold front moving faster and decreasing snow totals somewhat. Expect moderate to heavy snow in Central, Northern Idaho, Southwest Montana, and the Tetons (9-12) late Friday night into Saturday (Tetons start after midnight Friday). The Northern and Southern Wasatch all see action from mid morning Saturday to late in the evening. Very strong winds will accompany the cold front causing some lift issues after 11AM with 3-4 inch per hour snowfall rates in the Cottonwoods Saturday. Winds will decrease into Sunday with a quick end to snowfall. Amounts will likely be 9-13 inches (Sat/Sun) over the Wasatch range. Colorado will see 7-10 inches of snowfall from Saturday night into Sunday (Noon). Steamboat, Beaver Creek, and Vail are favored with higher amounts. Not epic but certainly worth a chase!
The extended models look wet in week #2 with more details to come later.
Chase?
Wednesday- Mammoth, Big Bear, Arizona Snowbowl
Thursday– Taos, Santa Fe, Wolf Creek (Wild card), Alta, Snowbird, Snowbasin, Powder Mountain. Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek, Summit, Steamboat- PM
Friday- Cascades -Heavy snow late
Saturday-Stevens, Baker, Crystal, Mount Hood (DEEP). Tetons, Bridger Bowl (snowing). Wasatch- Getting deep by 3PM
Sunday-Colorado’s central and northern mountains (Overnight dump-7-10). Wasatch for leftover powder and lift closed areas from Saturday.
Enjoy the Powder as my chase will be limited to Thursday and Sunday.
Powderchaser Steve
