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Heavy snow began falling this afternoon over the Cascades at a rate of 2-3 inches per hour from Stevens Pass and North. A sharp cold front will enhance snowfall and a convergence zone from I-90 North. Crystal Mountain will see moderate to heavy snow tonight (7-12), with higher amounts over Stevens andBaker under NW flow. The downstream winners on Saturday will be a wide area of Idaho (North to South) and into the Tetons. The Tetons will have 2-4 tonight, 4-9 Saturday and another 1-4 Saturday night. Winds will be strong initially with the cold passage early Saturday AM but my confidence in the Tram is high for late AM.
WASATCH:
Snowfall will be light to moderate by 7AM Saturday with gusty winds. Heavy 3-4 inch per hour rates will slam the Wasatch by 10AM for several hours (Tram closure likely). The winds decrease slightly by 2PM. Solitude, might be a good Salt Lake choice with front side lifts offering good wind protected terrain. Snowbasin , Powder Mountain,and the Canyons will all have significant snowfall. Snowbird and Alta will see higher amounts late Saturday through Sunday with decreased winds and NW lake effect snow. (Totals in the 15-18 inch range).
Colorado:
Initial snowfall comes in early Saturday AM with SW flow. This will give mountains towards the 4 corners a decent shot of early snow including Silverton. Some snowfall is likely tonight (3-6) in the San Juan’s with another impulse in the SW. The bulk of snowfall will slam into Colorado Saturday evening into Sunday under NW flow. The mountains that might get the best dumpage will beSteamboat, Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, and Telluride. WInds shift to the north late in the storm which fares better for Telluride and Snowmass. Amounts might vary so early wake ups and keen observation for last minute chases might be necessary.
EAST COAST
Snow likely Saturday night however amounts will only reach powder criteria near the coast of southern New England by Sunday morning (Gunstock, southern Maine).
Another storm is due for the NW Monday (Moderate) and into the Rockies on Monday night and Tuesday (7-10). A continued wet pattern turning heavier will be seen by next weekend in the Cascades and BC. The models seem to put heavy moisture over Whistler late next week?